O lúdico como estratégia de cuidado: Percepção da família de crianças hospitalizadas

Abstract

Introduction: Hospitalization of a child is a challenging time for families, understood as a stressful event and a crisis moment in the child's development. In this context, the Statute of the Child and Adolescent ensures that, when a child requires hospitalization, healthcare facilities should provide conditions for the full-time presence of a caregiver, generally a family member. Furthermore, it mandates the right to play and have fun as rights that must be respected for the child. Thus, simultaneously, families possess strengths, virtues, positive emotions, among other factors, which serve as resources for coping with the situation. In this sense, the act of playing plays a fundamental role in the neuropsychomotor development process of children. Play is considered the most crucial phase of childhood, allowing the creation of imaginary situations and promoting the development of the capacity for representation and the use of symbols. Objective: To assess the use of play as a care strategy from the family's perspective in a public hospital in Mato Grosso do Sul. Methodology: A descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach, conducted in a public hospital in Mato Grosso do Sul in the Pediatric Ward and Pediatric Emergency Care sectors. The selected sample consisted of 10 interviews with mothers, fathers, grandparents, and aunts. Additionally, the data were examined using Bardin's content analysis technique. Results: After data analysis, two categories emerged, accompanied by excerpts from the interviews. Among the categories are: Play as a facilitator in the hospitalization process and Difficulties in understanding play as treatment. Conclusion: The use of play is a valuable approach that deserves more attention in the hospital environment. The analysis of families' perceptions in this research revealed that play alleviates the stress and anxiety of their children and families, making the sector where they are located more joyful and happy.