Wish Impact Research

Research shows, and physicians agree, wishes can help improve a child’s quality of life and produce better health outcomes, beyond just medicine on their patients and their families.

WISH IMPACT RESEARCH

Research shows, and physicians agree, wishes can help improve a child’s quality of life and produce better health outcomes, beyond just medicine on their patients and their families.

International Research has proven a few outcomes

Improved Health Status

Parents and volunteers observe that a wish come true, makes children feel happy and energetic. Wish children are more willing to comply with difficult, but vital, treatment regimens.

Enhanced state of Mind

Children feel less isolated and parents say their family units, often strained by stresses of the illnesses – are repaired and strengthened through the shared experience of the wish process.

Strengthened Communities

Volunteers feel an increased sense of compassion and desire to help others in their community. Everyone who is part of the wish journey has a sense of togetherness.

A wish brings emotional and psychological benefits for sick children and their family. It is often the turning point in their medical treatment as it can greatly improve their quality of life and provide a better chance of recovery.

Dr. Anup Patel of Nationwide Children's Hospital shares the true power of a wish.

We’ve known anecdotally about the transformational power of a wish, and now a first-of-its-kind study is opening the door to possibilities of medical and financial benefits. In the Dr. Patel Wish Impact Study, Nationwide Children’s Hospital examined quality of life and health care utilization among patients who received a wish and a control group who did not. The study found patients who were granted a wish were more likely to have fewer unplanned hospital and emergency department visits.

Research like this can inspire doctors to use a wish as part of their treatment plans for patients, because wishes can give their patients hope, build compliance with care and potentially give their patients a better chance at reducing time spent in the hospital.

Watch the video below to hear Dr. Patel talk about the true power of a wish