ABSTRACT
Objective:
to understand how nurses assess the implementation of therapeutic play by the nursing staff in the care provided to children.
Method:
qualitative study addressing nurses providing pediatric care in hospitals located in five Brazilian regions. Face-to-face meetings were held with nine focal groups between January and August 2018. The sessions lasted two hours on average and were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed through inductive thematic analysis.
Results:
52 nurses reported their perspectives regarding play and therapeutic play implemented in the care provided to children, which revealed The power of Play-Care implemented in nursing care: advancements and challenges and its subthemes: using puppets/dolls and dramatizing procedures; using distraction strategies to perform the procedures; wearing colorful and fun uniforms; recognizing the power of play in nursing care; and barriers challenging the connection between play and care in nursing practice.
Conclusion:
the power of Play-Care is manifested in the routine of nursing care through playful attitudes; however, these attitudes appear to be individual initiatives rather than systematized in the nursing process. Hence, there is a need to expand the possibilities of teaching this topic by promoting training programs, including practical activities and virtual learning environments.
DESCRIPTORS:
Child; hospitalized. Play and playthings. Pediatric nursing. Humanization of assistance. Organizational culture. Professional competence