Bedside support practices for hospitalized children

Objective

This study aims to investigate the opinions of mothers and their hospitalized children regarding play activities at the bedside.

Method

This research is qualitatively designed. Thirty-three children aged six to twelve years, who were admitted to the Pediatric Surgical Ward in March and May of 2024, and their mothers, comprised the study group. A semi-structured interview form was used to gather study data. The content analysis method was used to analyze the data.

Results

The mothers and their children who participated in the study reported that bedside activities were crucial in lowering worry, fear, and stress associated with pediatric medical procedures in the hospital. Bedside support activities have been identified as the primary needs of hospitalized children. Individual play activities are considered important due to the risk of infection. Furthermore, the view that regular play activities for children during hospitalization should be planned by healthcare personnel is emerging.

Discussion

Bedside activities help reduce the anxiety and fear of the sick child, thus allowing them to adapt to the hospital and minimizing the stress level caused by the illness. Bedside activities have a healing power on the sick child. In addition, as a non-pharmacological intervention within the scope of bedside support practices in pediatric surgery wards, play activity has a pain-relieving role in children. For sick children to have a joyful and active treatment process, bedside activities that meet their interests, desires, and needs should be carried out at regular intervals.

Practice implications

Board games and similar activities have been identified as crucial components of bedside support practices, particularly in pediatric settings. Implementation of these interventions by healthcare professionals will positively impact the recovery of children undergoing painful procedures in the hospital setting.