Helping Young Children Master Intrusive Procedures Through Play

An analysis of play interviews with 10 chronically ill 2- to 6-year-old hospitalized children revealed that 9 of the 10 children were able to use clinical equipment to express their concerns about intrusion Four types of intrusive play activities were identified from the content analysis rejections, medications, temperature-taking and tube-feeding Play about injections accounted for 50% of the childrens play However, the fact that 40% of play represented medications and temperature-taking suggests that even "routine" procedures may be a source of more concern to children than we, as caretakers sometimes realize The results also revealed the individuality with which each child expressed his or her intrusive concerns Discussion includes recommendations for assisting health professionals to help children master their concerns about intrusion.