THE POWER OF PLAY IN PEDIATRIC NURSING: THE PERSPECTIVES OF NURSES PARTICIPATING IN FOCAL GROUPS
Edmara Bazoni Soares Maia, Rebecca Ortiz La Banca, Susanne Rodrigues, Estela de Castro Duarte Pontes, Mariane Caetano Sulino, Regina Aparecida Garcia de Lima
Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: to understand how nurses assess the implementation of therapeutic play by the nursing staff in the care provided to children. Method: qualitative study addressing nurses providing pediatric care in hospitals located in five Brazilian regions. Face-to-face meetings were held with nine focal groups between January and August 2018. The sessions lasted two hours on average and were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed through inductive thematic analysis. Results: 52 nurses reported their perspectives regarding play and therapeutic play implemented in the care provided to children, which revealed The power of Play-Care implemented in nursing care: advancements and challenges and its subthemes: using puppets/dolls and dramatizing procedures; using distraction strategies to perform the procedures; wearing colorful and fun uniforms; recognizing the power of play in nursing care; and barriers challenging the connection between play and care in nursing practice. Conclusion: the power of Play-Care is manifested in the routine of nursing care through playful attitudes; however, these attitudes appear to be individual initiatives rather than systematized in the nursing process. Hence, there is a need to expand the possibilities of teaching this topic by promoting training programs, including practical activities and virtual learning environments.