Art therapy management in the pre-operative period in pediatrics

Abstract

Every child, particularly those who will be submitted to surgery, needs to express themselves, create and establish relationships with the world. This study was based on qualitative studies which were, in turn, substantiated on the behavioral changes of patients and their images. It was developed in the pediatric clinic of a public hospital in the city of Goiânia/GO in a two years’ period (1998-2000). The target population consisted of hospitalized children in the pre-operative process. It was concluded that great therapeutic benefit was achieved from the use of art therapy for this population as it helped the children to recover their mental balance, thus strengthening a healthier side of the child which had been deadened by the illness, hospitalization and treatment. Key words: art therapy; hospitalized child; mental health.