Jasem ZA, Darlington AS, Lambrick D, Randall DC. 'Eat, sleep, internet and talk': an exploratory study of play profile for children living with palliative care needs.
Palliat Care Soc Pract 2022;
16:26323524221105100. [PMID:
35811780 PMCID:
PMC9260576 DOI:
10.1177/26323524221105100]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Play is central to children's lives. Children living with palliative care needs experience disruption in their play. In this study, we sought to discover the characteristics and patterns of children's play when receiving care in children's hospital wards and hospices in Kuwait and the United Kingdom.
Methods
A qualitative nonparticipatory observation design was used. Thirty-one children were observed, between the ages of 5 and 11 years, all diagnosed with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and receiving palliative care. The data were analysed using content analysis.
Results
The children's illnesses were negatively impacting their ability to have typical play for their age and development. The children's interactive play was with grown-ups and very rarely with other children. This was associated with isolation precautions, the child's need for assistance and a lack of play resources that match children's physical and cognitive abilities. This gave rise to their engagement in more sedentary, solitary play. The findings of the study did not indicate significant cultural differences between the two countries.
Conclusion
Children living with palliative care needs may be socially isolated due to their illnesses and their play participation can be limited. Understanding the influencing factors that determine these children's play is essential for implementing effective modifications to enhance their play routines.
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