The Right to Play in Paediatric Healthcare: Policy and Practice in Chile

BACKGROUND: The right to play is a fundamental aspect of child-friendly healthcare. This study aims to examine the normative basis of this right and to evaluate its implementation in public hospitals in Chile. METHODS: A two-stage READ document analysis was conducted, encompassing both normative and institutional levels using qualitative and quantitative tools. First, Chilean laws and public health policies related to play in paediatric healthcare settings were reviewed. Second, institutional compliance was assessed through reports obtained via freedom of information requests from paediatric facilities across the country. RESULTS: Although Chilean legislation and health policies acknowledge the significance of children's right to play, its implementation is left to individual hospitals' discretion and is not supported by public funding. Consequently, only 9% (n = 5) of the 55 analysed hospitals achieved satisfactory standards. Hospitals reported infrastructural, material, and human resource barriers that limit satisfactory provision of play opportunities. CONCLUSION: There is a pressing need to establish standardised public health policies to guarantee the right to play in paediatric care nationwide. This study offers preliminary insights and recommendations to guide the development of a comprehensive regulatory framework.