Highlights
- •Play supports children with epilepsy and their families to cope with hospitalization and their illness
- •Play outdoor during hospitalization improves children with epilepsy and their families physical and emotionalwell-being
- •Healthcare professionals can use an outdoor playground in the hospital environment in their clinical and therapeutic care
Abstract
Objectives
To explore parents' experiences of using an outdoor playground during hospitalization
with their child with epilepsy.
Method
The study is based on a qualitative exploratory design. Semi-structured individual
interviews were conducted with 10 parents with a child with epilepsy (6–11 years).
A phenomenological- hermeneutic approach was taken, inspired by Ricoeur. Data analysis
and interpretation have been conducted at three levels: naive reading, structural
analysis, and critical interpretation and discussion.
Results
During hospitalization the playground was the children's territory, where children
felt safe, in control and normality. Parents experienced valuable time with their
children through participation, and play facilitated communication and reduced pain
and negative emotions. The playground improved parents and children's emotional well-being
during hospitalization. Further, it supported coping with epilepsy, and contributed
to gain successful experiences thus children developed self-esteem.
Conclusion
The study indicates that to the parents, an outdoor playground at the hospital environment
is valuable for supporting children with epilepsy and their families to cope with
hospitalization and everyday life, and it contributes to improve the family's physical,
social and emotional well-being. The results emphasize that play at an outdoor playground
could be integrated in the care and treatment during hospitalization.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 08, 2022
Accepted:
July 2,
2022
Received in revised form:
May 24,
2022
Received:
March 10,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
