K.K.T.C.’de Kanser Tedavisi Gören Farklı Yaş Grubu Çocukların Hastane Ortamında Oyun Odası Gereksinimlerinin Belirlenmesi: Aile, Çocuk, Sağlık Personelinin Görüşleri

Healthy children have the opportunity to "play" wherever they can and it is the "right" of sick children to be provided with similar opportunities who are treated due to chronic, oncologic or terminal diseases. This study aims to investigate the perceptions of children, families and health staff regarding the need of children, who are being treated for cancer in the Paediatric Oncology Unit of Lefkoşa State Hospital, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, for a play room in the hospital setting. To fulfil this aim, the formulated research question is as follows: "What are the perceptions of children, parents and health staff regarding the need of children from different age groups for a play room who are being treated for cancer in TRNC?" Based on this question, perceptions from 32 children, 32 parents and 2 health staff have been collected. Semi-structured interview forms with open-ended questions were used for parents and health staff; and story-completion through letter writing form was used for children. The results revealed many weak points in the current Paediatric Oncology Unit according to children, parents and health staff; and they are mostly caused by problems such as inadequate building, insufficient medications and lack of doctors. Additionally, the children, parent and health staff opinions showed a mutual agreement on the need for a play room in the current Paediatric Oncology Unit and a future play room can have both psychological and physical contributions to the treatment of children. Moreover, participants pointed out issues such as vivid colours, variety of books and toys, a teacher to be recruited as staff regarding the qualities, equipment and staff of a future play room. Suggestions for future studies are given at the end of the study. Keywords: early childhood period, sick child, treatment with play, play, play room, chronic illness