Developing a hospital play guideline and protocol for sick children with debilitating fears

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a specific play policy guideline and suggested protocol to manage children with debilitating fears such as needle phobia. The fear of clinical procedures which involve sharps such as needles is increasingly recognized by nurses as being problematic and this guideline will be a useful adjunct to any professional involved with children undergoing such procedures.

Optimising the Care of Children with Intellectual Disabilities in Hospital

“…The fear of clinical procedures which involve sharps such as needles is increasingly recognized by nurses as being problematic. Hence the use of therapeutic play strategies by qualified hospital child life specialists for children with intellectual disabilities who may have debilitating fears such as needle phobia is important and can be used to mitigate against stressful procedures (Weaver et al, 2007). The CQC expect children's hospital units to employ specialist play workers and that these should be available to help support this group of children.…”

Play Within the Pre-registration Children's Nursing Curriculum Within the United Kingdom: A Content Analysis of Programme Specifications

“…When children and young people become ill and require hospital admission, play becomes important as a link to home and as a way for the child to take control of often a difficult and potentially distressing situation (Hubbuck, 2009). Play for the hospitalised child provides a wide range of important benefits, including reducing anxiety (Lansdown, 1996); aiding self-expression (Brown and Patte, 2013); expressing emotions (Belson, 1987); aiding normality (Hubbuck, 2009); lessening the impact of pain (Gill, 2010); speeding recovery (Jun-Tai, 2008); coping with phobias (Weaver et al 2007, Gill 2010; facilitating communication (Belson, 1987, Webster, 2000, Healthcare Commission, 2007; and helping to prepare children for investigations and surgery (Ward, 2008).…”