Use of toys in hospitals: what are brazilian nurses studying?

Abstract

Care for the emotional needs of hospitalized children has had the attention of nursing professionals in Brazil, although not as a general rule. The chance to play is known as a relief from suffering, especially in childhood, which justifies the importance of this theme. This study had the objective of analyzing Brazilian nurses#&39; academic production on the use of toys during the attention to children in hospitals in strictu sensu Graduate programs. Data were taken from Portal CAPES, CEPEn, IBICT and papers#&39; references. Of the 15 theses/dissertations found in the literature only 14 are available; they were analyzed and comprise the corpus of this study. It was found that toys have been used mostly in pre and post-surgery, by Nursing professors, with preschool and school age children, parents and nurses. All of the works reinforce the positive results of toys#&39; use. We recommend to pediatric nurses the use of toys in all institutions where children need care.