Itinerant Library of the Hospital de Clínicas Encourages Reading Among Patients and Companions
Providing distraction and comfort during hospitalization is one of the project's goals, which brings titles from Brazilian literature, children's literature, religion, self-help, comics, and periodicals.
At the Gaspar Vianna Hospital de Clínicas (HC) in Belém, the routine of patients and companions has gained a new boost with the passage of the Hospital Itinerant Library through the unit's corridors. The initiative brings books and magazines to those undergoing treatment or accompanying family members, offering moments of reading, distraction, and comfort during the hospitalization period.
The project was created in 2010 and developed by the Teaching and Research Management, in partnership with the Library, Psychosocial, Humanization Committee, and Volunteering sector of HC, with the aim of providing leisure and well-being moments to patients during hospitalization, as well as encouraging the habit of reading. To achieve this, a cart circulates through the corridors carrying titles from Brazilian literature, children's literature, religion, self-help, comics, and periodicals.
According to librarian Elvira Palha, the activity seeks to humanize the hospital stay. “Since the hospital is an environment where patients are recovering, often anxious and stressed, reading helps to alleviate this time, offering entertainment and cultural encouragement,” she explained.
Combating Stress - Psychologist Patrícia Diniz highlighted the emotional and cognitive gains of the action. “The itinerant library, with its cart of books and other reading materials, minimizes the stress and isolation inherent to hospitalization, also reaching the companions. Moreover, the reading, chosen by the patient themselves, can be meaningful and, at the same time, stimulate cognitive aspects or provide distraction. Therefore, it adds well-being and the patient's perception of being able to engage in an activity from their daily life as a person, not as a patient,” said Patrícia Diniz.
Social educator Maria de Fátima Vieira, 57, accompanies her husband, Luiz Alexandre da Silva Lima, who has been hospitalized for 17 days after an emergency heart surgery. For her, the initiative is a way to make the wait lighter. “I really enjoy reading, and I already have that habit. But here it is even more important. People become anxious about their family member's recovery, and reading helps distract, pass the time, and reduce that worry. It’s a very important job you are doing,” she emphasized.
From the municipality of Marapanim, in northeastern Pará, companion Maria José Alves stated that reading helps to distract. “I really like to read and do word searches. This helps to open up ideas and keeps the mind active. It’s a way to occupy time and bring more tranquility,” she added.
Occupational therapist Marly Maciel emphasized that reading also serves as a therapeutic resource within the hospital environment, especially for patients in prolonged hospitalizations. According to her, the activity helps to occupy idle time, promotes leisure, and favors interaction between patients and companions.
“Reading takes the focus off the illness and pain a bit, providing moments of distraction and well-being. For us in Occupational Therapy, it is a very valuable resource that contributes to the patient's recovery. We actively participate in the itinerant library because we believe that actions like this are fundamental for the humanization of hospital treatment,” she added.
Text: Kelly Barros - Ascom/HC
