Nurses' perspectives for the role of play with children in an onco-hematology department: A qualitative study

Purpose: to describe nurses' perceptions of using play in a pediatric onco-hematology setting. Design and methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in the pediatric onco-hematology department of a tertiary hospital in northern Italy. Eleven nurses working in the involved department were recruited via convenience sampling. Data were gathered through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured guide. Data were analyzed using a descriptive qualitative approach. Results: Four major themes emerged from the analysis: 1) The different purposes in using play, 2) A matter of time, 3) Choosing the most suitable game, and 4) Sharing celebrative moments as moments of interprofessional development. Nurses described play as a means to build trust, relieve parents, serve as an educational tool, and address children's needs. Although nurses recognized the limited time available, they wanted to manage their workload to accommodate play. They emphasized the importance of choosing suitable games and using playful moments as opportunities for fun and professional growth. Conclusions: Therapeutic play should be systematically integrated into pediatric oncology care as it fosters trust, provides joy and relief, and supports the child and their parents. Practice implications: Play should be incorporated into routine practice, ensuring children can access peer interaction and age-appropriate games. A multidisciplinary approach, with the involvement of trained professionals, should be fostered to support play-based care in pediatric oncology settings.