The hospital stay expecience by the interned child view

Abstract

Hospitalization is a factor that generates anxiety to anyone, much more to a child. Many feelings may be produced in them by the hospitalization. The objectives of this work were to know how children experience the hospital stay, their relation with the nursing team. A qualitative approach was used, and data was collected through playful technical interviews and a story drawing. The results showed that the children perceive the hospital as a sad place, but that also can provide good situations, as the playing space. The children demonstrated comprehension of the hospital procedures and their need to overcome the illness, however, they identify them as painful. The relationship between the child and the nursing team was presented as ambivalent, the children identify “nice” professionals that show them their worry and attention, but, on the other hand, the procedures they do are understood as painful and anguishing. The concern with the death is another important aspect in the data analysis.