The therapeutic toy as a mediator of intercommunication in the care of hospitalized children: nurses' perception
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17267/2317-3378rec.2025.e6384Keywords:
Hospitalization, Child, Nursing, Communication, Therapeutic PlayAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyze therapeutic play as a mediator of communication in the nurse-child relationship. METHOD: This is a field study, with a descriptive-exploratory character and a qualitative approach, conducted with 17 nurses from the pediatric unit of a public hospital. Data collection was carried out from August to December 2023, through semi-structured interviews. The analysis was based on Bardin’s content analysis technique in the thematic modality. RESULTS: Two analytical categories emerged: “Exploring nurse-patient interaction: the role of therapeutic play in intercommunication” and “The benefits of using therapeutic play.” The findings indicate that therapeutic play is a significant resource for strengthening the relationship between nurses and hospitalized children. The analysis demonstrated that its application represents an essential tool in care, promoting the physical, emotional, psychological, and communicational well-being of children during hospitalization, while also enhancing the bond established between professional and patient. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The study highlights the relevance of therapeutic play in pediatric nursing practice, positioning it as a care strategy that facilitates effective communication with children and contributes to mitigating the negative impacts of hospitalization by promoting their active participation in the hospitalization process.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Camila Miranda, Denise Santana Silva dos Santos

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
