Play Interventions in Paediatric Nursing for Children Aged 0-6 Years Old : literature review

Abstract

Play is a difficult aspect to define due to its complexity. Even though play has multidimensional meanings, many researchers agree that play is a significant aspect of child's development. In other terms, play is used by children to learn, deal with difficult situations and feelings, as well as to explore themselves. Play is also a visible aspect of paediatric care in the hospital. Research shows that hospital environment is known to cause negative emotions, thus inhibiting the action of play. However, despite the possible difficulties of providing play in the hospital environment, play is pointed out to be a beneficial intervention for nurses dealing with paediatric patients.

This thesis examined the useful and recent play interventions used in paediatric nursing. The aim was to contribute to the work of paediatric nurses by deepening the knowledge about play interventions in the paediatric nursing area. Literature review was used as a research method for this study. Nine (n=9) articles were included in this study from Cinahl, PubMed and ScienceDirect. The data was analysed by using the inductive content analysis. The partner organisation for this study was Kuopio University Hospital.

The results showed the current, evidence-based play methods such as preparation play, distraction play, therapeutic play and medical play. The results also presented specific interventions such as use of technology, use of therapeutic toys, gamification, personalisation, art therapy and group play.

The results of this study could be used to form recommendations for the work of paediatric nurses. Play can be used in distraction, education, preparation and socialisation of the in-patient and out-patient paediatric patients.