Autor(es): Saraiva, José ; Varzim, Marta ; Cordeiro, Helena
Data: 2023
Origem: Convergências - Revista de Investigação e Ensino das Artes
Assunto(s): Illustration; Hospital pediatrics; Humane; Well-being; Illustration; Hospital pediatrics; Humane; Well-being; Illustration; Hospital pediatrics; Humane; Well-being
Health services, in particular pediatric units in a hospital, are increasingly committed to human well-being, on the one hand by researching more effective treatments, on the other hand by promoting emotional well-being for their patients, caregivers and professionals. The investment in making hospital environments and services more humane is evident in several studies and projects disseminated around the world. Even so, and despite these efforts, most people continue to have a negative feeling when they think of a hospital. For an institution whose main objective is to preserve and restore health, a negative impression or a feeling of discomfort can be seen as a factor of stress that does not contribute to the patients’ quick recovery. Although fear or stress reduction values are difficult to quantify, empirical evidence shows that there are intangible factors crucial for the patients’ recovery and well-being 1.This is an issue of increasing importance, therefore this paper will analyze how illustration can play a decisive role in the child’s perception and overall experience in hospital. It will also evaluate how illustrators and storytellers' commitment in creating a positive, playful and comfortable environment for patients and caregivers has been recognised by the whole community. The process of adapting an illustrated children’s picture book to a specific hospital area, its effectiveness and how it can reach other audiences, will be widely analyzed.
Los servicios sanitarios, en particular las unidades pediátricas de un hospital, están cada vez más comprometidos con el bienestar humano, por un lado investigando tratamientos más eficaces, por otro promoviendo el bienestar emocional de sus pacientes, cuidadores y profesionales. La inversión en hacer más humanos los entornos y servicios hospitalarios queda patente en diversos estudios y proyectos difundidos por todo el mundo. Aun así, y a pesar de estos esfuerzos, la mayoría de la gente sigue teniendo una sensación negativa cuando piensa en un hospital. Para una institución cuyo principal objetivo es preservar y restablecer la salud, una impresión negativa o una sensación de incomodidad pueden considerarse un factor de estrés que no contribuye a la rápida recuperación de los pacientes. Aunque los valores de reducción del miedo o del estrés son difíciles de cuantificar, la evidencia empírica demuestra que existen factores intangibles cruciales para la recuperación y el bienestar de los pacientes 1.Se trata de una cuestión de creciente importancia, por lo que este artículo analizará cómo la ilustración puede desempeñar un papel decisivo en la percepción y la experiencia general del niño en el hospital. También se evaluará cómo el compromiso de los ilustradores y cuentacuentos en la creación de un entorno positivo, lúdico y confortable para pacientes y cuidadores ha sido reconocido por toda la comunidad. Se analizará ampliamente el proceso de adaptación de un libro ilustrado infantil a un área hospitalaria específica, su eficacia y cómo puede llegar a otros públicos.
Health services, in particular pediatric units in a hospital, are increasingly committed to human well-being, on the one hand by researching more effective treatments, on the other hand by promoting emotional well-being for their patients, caregivers and professionals. The investment in making hospital environments and services more humane is evident in several studies and projects disseminated around the world. Even so, and despite these efforts, most people continue to have a negative feeling when they think of a hospital. For an institution whose main objective is to preserve and restore health, a negative impression or a feeling of discomfort can be seen as a factor of stress that does not contribute to the patients’ quick recovery. Although fear or stress reduction values are difficult to quantify, empirical evidence shows that there are intangible factors crucial for the patients’ recovery and well-being 1.This is an issue of increasing importance, therefore this paper will analyze how illustration can play a decisive role in the child’s perception and overall experience in hospital. It will also evaluate how illustrators and storytellers' commitment in creating a positive, playful and comfortable environment for patients and caregivers has been recognised by the whole community. The process of adapting an illustrated children’s picture book to a specific hospital area, its effectiveness and how it can reach other audiences, will be widely analyzed.
