USE OF THERAPEUTIC TOYS IN NURSING CARE OF THE HOSPITALIZED CHILD WITH LEUKEMIA

Abstract

This exploratory-descriptive qualitative research aimed to identify the nursing team’s knowledge concerning the use of therapeutic toys, discuss the benefits and specificities of its use, and propose its implantation. Four professionals participated, from a pediatric oncology hospital center; the data was obtained through the technique of group discussion, in two meetings of about thirty minutes, in the location of the study, in July 2010. After thematic analysis, there were four categories: ignorance of the use of the therapeutic toy; expectation of and adherence to its use; and the presence of the therapeutic toy during provision of care to the hospitalized child. Weekly visits were undertaken over four months with the aim of observing adherence and use of this strategy was observed during nursing care. Studies including greater numbers of subjects are needed, so that other members of the team may be trained and made aware of the use of therapeutic toys.

Keywords

• Toy
• Nursing care
• Hospitalized child