The role of the psychologist in facilitating the hospitalized student’s return to school

Chronic and/or complex medical conditions can compromise the psychological and relational well-being of students, in the short and long term (Sansom-Daly, Peate, Wakefield, Bryant, & Cohn, 2012). The Hospital School Service and Home Education in Italy are legally offered to all children with a chronic disease who are going to lose school continuity and are at risk of dropout (Capurso, 2014a; Capurso, 2014b; Ferri, 2013; Tomberli & Ciucci, 2020). Often children with medical conditions lose contact with their classmates, becoming isolated and experiencing anxiety, depression, and stress (Tomberli & Ciucci, 2022). Several international studies have highlighted how the role of the school psychologist and/or hospital psychologist is fundamental in facilitating the return to school of hospitalized students (e.g., Prevatt, Heffer & Lowe, 2000). Since hospital schools and home education services differ in Italy at the regional level (albeit to a small extent), it was decided to focus on the specific Tuscan context to create a Tuscan model of care for the hospitalized student in the future.