Child perception about hospitalization: integrative review

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the scientific publication on the child's perception of the hospitalization process. Methodology: integrative review with literature search carried out in databases, articles published between 2011 and 2020 were used and children under 12 years of age were defined as the population. Results: 283 articles were identified, but seven made up the final sample. From the perspective of children, hospitalization is permeated by feelings such as fear, anxiety, homesickness, insecurity, desire to cry, sadness, pain. However, it was noted that the availability of toys and the presence of clowns were essential for coping with traumatic processes. Conclusion: the hospitalization process has been considered a stressful experience, permeated by feelings capable of triggering changes and adaptations. However, in children's hospitalizations, playfulness has become a positive resource to alleviate the traumatic event that hospitalization causes for the child.