Children and adolescents with complex medical conditions are often uprooted from their environments and isolated in hospital while undergoing treatment. Little is known about how they perceive this isolation and its subsequent impact on their relationships with peers, both during and after isolation for treatment. This study describes the experience of hospital isolation from the perspectives of children and adolescents with a malignant brain tumor. The use and impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) as a possible bridge for contact is also explored. Following a qualitative approach utilizing interpretive phenomenological analysis, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight youth participants who had undergone treatment for medulloblastoma. Data analysis generated three main themes: (1) transforming children and relationships, (2) hospitalization in a digital world, and (3) ICTs as a promising bridge back to school. Study findings provide insight into the experience of hospital isolation for children and adolescents, while highlighting the positive social as well as academic outcomes of frequent, open ended ICT use throughout hospital isolation. This is timely, given the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting isolation. Considerations for hospital social workers to promote relationships and connection, while facilitating a smooth transition as these children return to school are included.

患有复杂疾病的儿童和青少年在接受治疗时经常被从他们的环境中连根拔起并在医院隔离。在隔离治疗期间和之后，他们如何看待这种孤立及其对他们与同伴关系的后续影响知之甚少。本研究从患有恶性脑瘤的儿童和青少年的角度描述了医院隔离的经历。还探讨了信息和通信技术 (ICT) 作为可能的联系桥梁的使用和影响。按照利用解释现象学分析的定性方法，对八名接受过髓母细胞瘤治疗的青年参与者进行了深入访谈。数据分析产生了三个主要主题：(1) 改造儿童和关系，(2) 数字世界中的住院治疗，以及 (3) ICT 作为重返校园的有前途的桥梁。研究结果提供了对儿童和青少年医院隔离体验的深入了解，同时强调了在整个医院隔离期间频繁、开放式使用 ICT 的积极社会和学术成果。鉴于 COVID-19 大流行的背景及其导致的隔离，这是及时的。考虑到医院社会工作者促进关系和联系，同时促进这些孩子重返学校的顺利过渡。在整个医院隔离期间开放式 ICT 使用。鉴于 COVID-19 大流行的背景及其导致的隔离，这是及时的。考虑到医院社会工作者促进关系和联系，同时促进这些孩子重返学校的顺利过渡。在整个医院隔离期间开放式 ICT 使用。鉴于 COVID-19 大流行的背景及其导致的隔离，这是及时的。考虑到医院社会工作者促进关系和联系，同时促进这些孩子重返学校的顺利过渡。