[Survey of adolescent perception of hospital admission. The importance of hospital humanisation]

Abstract

Introduction: The humanisation of health care involves considering the patient as an integral human being, providing assistance beyond medical care, and covering other fields such as social, emotional, spiritual, or relational areas.

Objective: To evaluate the requirements and concerns of the hospitalised children.

Subjects and method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire on children aged 12-16.

Results: The study included 39 patients, with a median age of 14 years. The most unpleasant experience during the hospitalisation was the invasive procedures. Almost all (95%) of patients suffered from pain, and 17% of them felt at some point that a procedure was performed without them being fully aware. More than 75% of children asked for more entertainment, with the lack of Wi-Fi being the more demanded item.

Conclusions: The needs of the population included in this survey, showed the importance to consider cognitive (necessity of obtaining clear and extensive information), social (maintaining everyday relationships), emotional (illness and its diagnostic and therapeutic procedures often generate mood disorders), and practical (environmental and architectural aspects can lead to either an improvement or a worsening of the hospitalisation perception) factors. All of these factors have shown a beneficial contribution, leading to an earlier recovery of health.

Keywords: Adolescente hospitalizado; Asistencia hospitalaria; Hospital care; Hospitalised adolescent; Humanisation of assistance; Humanisation policy; Humanización hospitalaria; Medidas de humanización.