The Act of Playing Within the Hospital Context in the Vision of the Accompanying Persons of the Hospitalised Children

Abstract

Introduction: the infant hospitalisation may put at risk the normal development of the children due to the breaking of their routine and the adjustment to the new reality process. There are several initiatives to promote spaces in hospitals so that the children can have contact with recreational activities. There are many variables that may influence the children's attitude towards the possibility of playful activities, among them the involvement of the accompanying persons. It is essential to learn their interpretation of the playing activities in the hospital context and which characteristics are associated with this activity in order to reach better planning of the assistance. Objective: this study aimed to examine the opinion of the accompanying persons on promoting play during the children's hospitalisation. Methods: therefore, the accompanying persons answered questionnaires during that period of hospitalisation. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results: 65 mothers of hospitalised children, mostly accompanied patients aged from 2-6 years old. All of them confirmed that the children should attend the playroom since it helps in recovery, providing relief from suffering, calming them and thus relieving tensions. Conclusion: as a conclusion, the accompanying persons highlight the importance of the playroom in the context of hospitalisation of children to soothe its effects of and help in the development of the children.

The hospital designed by hospitalized children and adolescents

“…Environments that promote recreational activities are strong allies of motor, emotional, mental and social development, in addition to contributing to a less traumatic hospitalization, as they favor coping with the situation, the (re) significance of pathology and acceptance of treatment (18) . A qualitative approach study with children aged from 7 to 12 years old under outpatient therapeutic follow-up at a pediatric university hospital in Sao Paulo showed that the therapeutic environment, when designed from the perspective of these patients, allows them to know their preferences, as well as their health and disease conditions and treatment, which makes it less traumatic (19) .…”

O Conhecimento Dos Pais Quanto Ao Processo Do Cuidar Por Meio Do Brincar

“…Assim, o brincar no hospital proporciona, à criança, oportunidades de vivenciar esse novo momento em sua vida, de estar doente e hospitalizada, de forma menos estressante, reduzindo os efeitos negativos da ruptura com seu convívio social, com melhor adaptação durante a internação, o que facilita, ao infante, mais a receptividade, o acolhimento e meios para enfrentar as situações advindas do efeito da hospitalização (8) .…”

A importância do lúdico no contexto da hospitalização infantil

“…In a study, the parents' perception regarding the use of play during the hospitalization was pointed out in a study, where it was clear that, for parents, it is of great importance, since it promotes the reduction of stress caused by hospitalization, helps the child to become more comfortable with the hospital and the hospital routine and reduces the negative impact of the hospital. 18 The parents' bonding with their hospitalized children is narrowed, as many of the activities can be performed between the same as paintings and the use of toys in general. Through the use of play, a combination of benefits is provided, from the promotion of understanding, participation and communication, such as reduction of stress and fear.…”