Animal-Assisted Interventions in Paediatric Hospitals: An Investigation of Italian Healthcare Personnel Attitudes
Background: Evidence of the beneficial effects of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) on patients admitted to paediatric hospitals is growing. However, there is still little information about healthcare professionals’ knowledge of and attitudes towards AAI, both as a complement to medical treatments...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/352 |
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| author | Cinzia Correale Sofia Orlando Marta Borgi Simonetta Gentile Simona Cappelletti |
| author_facet | Cinzia Correale Sofia Orlando Marta Borgi Simonetta Gentile Simona Cappelletti |
| author_sort | Cinzia Correale |
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| description | Background: Evidence of the beneficial effects of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) on patients admitted to paediatric hospitals is growing. However, there is still little information about healthcare professionals’ knowledge of and attitudes towards AAI, both as a complement to medical treatments and as a tool for improving the workplace environment. The present study explores the perspectives of Italian paediatric hospital staff after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online questionnaire was developed and distributed to paediatric hospital personnel across Italy. The questionnaire addressed topics including AAI’ impact on the hospital environment, their role as a resource for patients and families, their effect on staff well-being, and the perception of the feasibility of AAI implementation in hospitals. Data were analysed descriptively and qualitatively. Results: A total of 44 respondents took part in the survey. Most respondents agreed that AAI could improve hospital environments and serve as a valuable resource for patients and families. However, results were more mixed about the effects of AAI on staff well-being and the feasibility of their implementation. Qualitative analysis identified recurring themes including the positive impact of AAI on emotions/general well-being, improved compliance and treatment outcomes, and reduced stress and distress. Concerns included organisational/logistical challenges, hygiene issues, and potential impact on staff workload. Notably, most participants felt that the COVID-19 pandemic had not affected their perception of AAI safety. Conclusions: Most respondents viewed AAI favourably and supported their implementation as a means of benefiting patients and caregivers. Concerns mainly related to organisational and logistical barriers highlight areas that require further exploration in future research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cf1a8d960916419ebcbccf7fe582d35f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-cf1a8d960916419ebcbccf7fe582d35f2025-08-20T02:11:25ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-03-0112335210.3390/children12030352Animal-Assisted Interventions in Paediatric Hospitals: An Investigation of Italian Healthcare Personnel AttitudesCinzia Correale0Sofia Orlando1Marta Borgi2Simonetta Gentile3Simona Cappelletti4Neurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, 00165 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, 00193 Rome, ItalyCentre for Behavioural Science and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, 00193 Rome, ItalyNeurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, 00165 Rome, ItalyBackground: Evidence of the beneficial effects of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) on patients admitted to paediatric hospitals is growing. However, there is still little information about healthcare professionals’ knowledge of and attitudes towards AAI, both as a complement to medical treatments and as a tool for improving the workplace environment. The present study explores the perspectives of Italian paediatric hospital staff after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online questionnaire was developed and distributed to paediatric hospital personnel across Italy. The questionnaire addressed topics including AAI’ impact on the hospital environment, their role as a resource for patients and families, their effect on staff well-being, and the perception of the feasibility of AAI implementation in hospitals. Data were analysed descriptively and qualitatively. Results: A total of 44 respondents took part in the survey. Most respondents agreed that AAI could improve hospital environments and serve as a valuable resource for patients and families. However, results were more mixed about the effects of AAI on staff well-being and the feasibility of their implementation. Qualitative analysis identified recurring themes including the positive impact of AAI on emotions/general well-being, improved compliance and treatment outcomes, and reduced stress and distress. Concerns included organisational/logistical challenges, hygiene issues, and potential impact on staff workload. Notably, most participants felt that the COVID-19 pandemic had not affected their perception of AAI safety. Conclusions: Most respondents viewed AAI favourably and supported their implementation as a means of benefiting patients and caregivers. Concerns mainly related to organisational and logistical barriers highlight areas that require further exploration in future research.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/352animal assisted therapyattitude of health personnelhospitalspaediatricCOVID-19 |
| spellingShingle | Cinzia Correale Sofia Orlando Marta Borgi Simonetta Gentile Simona Cappelletti Animal-Assisted Interventions in Paediatric Hospitals: An Investigation of Italian Healthcare Personnel Attitudes Children animal assisted therapy attitude of health personnel hospitals paediatric COVID-19 |
| title | Animal-Assisted Interventions in Paediatric Hospitals: An Investigation of Italian Healthcare Personnel Attitudes |
| title_full | Animal-Assisted Interventions in Paediatric Hospitals: An Investigation of Italian Healthcare Personnel Attitudes |
| title_fullStr | Animal-Assisted Interventions in Paediatric Hospitals: An Investigation of Italian Healthcare Personnel Attitudes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Animal-Assisted Interventions in Paediatric Hospitals: An Investigation of Italian Healthcare Personnel Attitudes |
| title_short | Animal-Assisted Interventions in Paediatric Hospitals: An Investigation of Italian Healthcare Personnel Attitudes |
| title_sort | animal assisted interventions in paediatric hospitals an investigation of italian healthcare personnel attitudes |
| topic | animal assisted therapy attitude of health personnel hospitals paediatric COVID-19 |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/352 |
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