Integrating play in trauma-informed care: Multidisciplinary pediatric healthcare provider perspectives

Children and their family members may experience potentially traumatic events during medical treatment that can result in pediatric medical traumatic stress reactions. Play is a normative part of childhood that may facilitate engagement in medical care and may be incorporated in trauma-informed care. This qualitative study used semistructured interviews to examine the role of play and its potential use in trauma-informed care. The perspectives of 30 multidisciplinary pediatric healthcare providers representing 5 divisions (Cardiology, Endocrinology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Pulmonology) in 2 children's hospitals were gathered. Constant comparison and directed content analysis were used to analyze the data. Themes and subthemes were derived in 3 areas: (a) aspects of pediatric medical care that are potentially traumatic (specific events; and physical, emotional, and family-level consequences), (b) uses of play in pediatric healthcare settings (general [relieve boredom] and trauma-specific [prevention/alleviation]), and (c) potential barriers to the use of play in trauma-informed care (infection control; lack of provider training). The results document aspects of pediatric medical experiences that providers recognize as potentially traumatic, highlighting the importance of traumainformed care. They also identify ways to use play to engage with children and families in a trauma-informed way. Additional training and development regarding play may increase the viability of using play in trauma-informed pediatric healthcare.