We're taking a training session to the 55th National Podiatry Congress about something that is rarely taught: how to support a child during a consultation.
For years we've talked about feet, free movement, child development and the importance of understanding how children grow. But there's an equally important question that rarely gets space in healthcare training: how a child feels when they walk into a consultation.
That's why this year we're taking a step we're especially excited about.
At the 55th National Podiatry Congress, to be held in Zaragoza, we're organising the workshop “Caring for children with respect in the podiatry consultation”, a practical training session that focuses on the relationship between the healthcare professional and the child.
Because we know how to examine a foot. We know how to identify changes and diagnose conditions. But many professionals have never had specific training in how to support a child who is frightened, who doesn't understand what's happening, who freezes, or who is given information that worries them.
And we believe that matters too.
Current evidence on child development shows us that the emotional experience a child has during a consultation can influence their trust, their ability to cooperate and the relationship they will build with healthcare professionals in the future.
That's why we wanted to bring a different proposal to the congress.
The training will be led by two people we deeply admire: Laura Estremera, a psychologist and psychomotor therapist specialising in child development and supporting families, and Roberto Pascual, one of the leading figures in paediatric podiatry in Spain.
Together they will cover questions that are as everyday as they are important:
For years we've talked about feet, free movement, child development and the importance of understanding how children grow. But there's an equally important question that rarely gets space in healthcare training: how a child feels when they walk into a consultation.
That's why this year we're taking a step we're especially excited about.
At the 55th National Podiatry Congress, to be held in Zaragoza, we're organising the workshop “Caring for children with respect in the podiatry consultation”, a practical training session that focuses on the relationship between the healthcare professional and the child.
Because we know how to examine a foot. We know how to identify changes and diagnose conditions. But many professionals have never had specific training in how to support a child who is frightened, who doesn't understand what's happening, who freezes, or who is given information that worries them.
And we believe that matters too.
Current evidence on child development shows us that the emotional experience a child has during a consultation can influence their trust, their ability to cooperate and the relationship they will build with healthcare professionals in the future.
That's why we wanted to bring a different proposal to the congress.
The training will be led by two people we deeply admire: Laura Estremera, a psychologist and psychomotor therapist specialising in child development and supporting families, and Roberto Pascual, one of the leading figures in paediatric podiatry in Spain.
Together they will cover questions that are as everyday as they are important:
- What a child needs to feel safe in a consultation.
- How to prepare a child for an examination to reduce uncertainty.
- How to adapt communication to each stage of development.
- What to do when fear, refusal or frustration appear.
- How to support families emotionally.
- How to share complex information without causing more distress than necessary.
We want it to be a highly practical training session. That's why it will combine knowledge of child development, real clinical cases and simulation exercises that will let attendees experience common consultation situations and practise specific communication and support tools.
This initiative grows out of something that is part of how we understand childhood.
At Feroz we've spent years working with healthcare professionals, researchers and science communicators to promote a more complete view of child development. A view that isn't limited to the physical side, but also takes into account children's emotional needs, their autonomy and respect for them.
We believe professional excellence doesn't depend only on technical knowledge.
It also depends on the ability to build trust.
And when it comes to childhood, that trust is especially important. Children arrive at consultations in a position of vulnerability and dependence. The way they are listened to, informed and treated can shape not only how that visit goes, but also their future relationship with healthcare.
Because caring for a child isn't only about treating a health problem.
It's also about knowing how to support them while we do it.
This initiative grows out of something that is part of how we understand childhood.
At Feroz we've spent years working with healthcare professionals, researchers and science communicators to promote a more complete view of child development. A view that isn't limited to the physical side, but also takes into account children's emotional needs, their autonomy and respect for them.
We believe professional excellence doesn't depend only on technical knowledge.
It also depends on the ability to build trust.
And when it comes to childhood, that trust is especially important. Children arrive at consultations in a position of vulnerability and dependence. The way they are listened to, informed and treated can shape not only how that visit goes, but also their future relationship with healthcare.
Because caring for a child isn't only about treating a health problem.
It's also about knowing how to support them while we do it.
