Necesidades percibidas en el paciente pediátrico hospitalizado

Introduction: Hospitalization is a situation that children can experience as negative, intimidating, or adverse, contributing to the appearance of needs that may go unnoticed during medical care and are more evident in extended hospital stays. Objective: To describe the experience in identifying and addressing hospitalized children's perceived needs, using a play-based strategy during 2018, in three clinics in Bogota. Methods: A mixed-methods study was carried out, with retrospective data analysis on the care medical records carried out in 2018. The selection of patients was consecutive and convenient. For identifying the children's necessities, structured interviews were carried out, and a psycho-pedagogical strategy based on the play was implemented. Results: Pediatric hospitalized patients, regardless of their age or admission pathology, present during the first three weeks of hospitalization needs related to mood and interaction with the caregiver. Caregivers also present needs related to the management of uncertainty due to the child's diagnosis and prognosis, the interruption in family dynamics and functioning, and concerns about medical care, psychosocial and educational aspects of the children during their stay in the hospital Conclusions: Educational strategies based on play are a valuable resource with which service-providing institutions could improve the experience of children requiring hospitalization and their caregivers.