Ensuring the Right to Play and Participate in Artistic Activities for Hospitalized Children
In the context of our Culture and Health project, Culture Action Europe and RED NOSES International contributed to the latest policy brief of the International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals & Health Services titled Ensuring the Right to Play and Participate in Artistic Activities for Hospitalized Children.
Key messages include:
• Integrating arts and play into healthcare promotes a more holistic approach to patient care, addressing not just physical symptoms but also emotional and psychological needs, in line with the WHO definition of health.
• Integrating arts, creativity and play into healthcare is a complementary approach that can enhance traditional medical treatments, rather than replacing them. Play and artistic activities in hospitals not only have psychological benefits before or during medical interventions, but can also support the physical rehabilitation of children recovering from illness or injury (e.g. improving mobility, strength, and endurance).
• Children need safe spaces to play in hospitals that are non-judgmental, noncompetitive and give them the opportunity to relax and disconnect from the medical treatment.
• Ensuring the right to play for children is beneficial for the healthcare staff as well. Play and artistic activities decrease the children’s levels of fear, perceived pain and stress, diverting their attention to positive emotions, which facilitate the work of healthcare staff during medical procedures.