A narrative approach to addressing pain in hospitalised paediatric patients: Handicraft and digital interventions—

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Children who have to stay in hospital for a period of time can experience anxiety, fear and insecurity. Narrative therapy has been used to help address the traumatic experiences of hospitalised paediatric patients by promoting changes in perspective, enabling distance from pain or trauma, and identifying skills and strategies for managing the hospitalisation process. To determine the effectiveness of narrative-based interventions on reducing the negative effects associated with hospitalisation, we conducted a trial with paediatric patients in four hospitals in Mexico. Using a narrative approach that involved externalising conversations, drawing and collage, we trialled both digital and handicraft interventions. Both interventions reduced perceived pain, generated positive associations with hospital and improved patient wellbeing. However, the digital intervention, using existing applications on a digital tablet, proved a richer medium. Considering that in Mexico hospitalised paediatric patients’ care is almost entirely medical, this digital health proposal represents an improvement to health services through a more comprehensive approach to the wellbeing of hospitalised paediatric patients.