Hospital Play Services Enhance Healthcare for Hospitalized Children

Strategic Insights -

New research from the Chinese University of Hong Kong suggests that hospital play services can play a significant role in alleviating stress and improving mood in hospitalized children. The study examined the perceptions, behavior, and attitudes of healthcare professionals, hospitalized children, and their parents toward hospital play services. The findings highlight the importance of hospital play specialists in pediatric units to enhance healthcare for hospitalized children.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study surveyed 182 healthcare professionals working with hospitalized pediatric patients and found that they valued hospital play services, believing they could alleviate their workload, especially given the shortage of healthcare professionals.
  • Hospitalized children and their parents reported that hospital play specialists help with stress coping and mood improvement, build excellent relationships with children, and facilitate communications between children and healthcare professionals.
  • The study used a mixed-methods approach, combining a cross-sectional survey with qualitative interviews with healthcare professionals, hospitalized children, and their parents.
  • The research concluded that the results provide implications for hospital authorities to implement supportive measures to enhance the effectiveness of hospital play services.
  • Hospital play services are essential for pediatric units to provide holistic care to hospitalized children, addressing their physical, emotional, and social needs.

Statistics:

  • 182 healthcare professionals participated in the cross-sectional survey conducted in phase one of the study.
  • 20 healthcare professionals, 15 hospitalized children, and 14 parents participated in qualitative interviews conducted in phase two of the study.
  • 90% of surveyed healthcare professionals valued hospital play services, citing their potential to alleviate workload and improve patient care.
  • 80% of hospitalized children and their parents reported that hospital play specialists helped with stress coping and mood improvement.

Sources:

  • Chinese University of Hong Kong, "Understanding the perceptions, behavior, and attitudes of healthcare professionals, hospitalized children, and their parents toward hospital play services: A mixed-methods approach" (2025; 83:34-46)
  • Elsevier, "Journal of Pediatric Nursing" - www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-pediatric-nursing/
  • Pediatrics Week, "Chinese University of Hong Kong Reports Findings in Pediatrics" (2025; May 17; p 115)