Singing Group: The Playful Present in Health Promotion

Abstract

The training, education and outlook of most health professionals does not take into consideration humanistic perspectives. However, it is believed that through a more personal approach, hospitals and other institutions focused on health promotion and rehabilitation may become more knowledgeable in ways to improve patient health and quality of life. This chapter aims to investigate the relationship of the ludic component of health care (i.e., playfulness) to the overall rehabilitation process. It looks at treatment services provided by a group of volunteers and professionals in a singing group of a public health institution in Florianópolis (Santa Catarina, southern Brazil). A group consisting of social workers, nurses, volunteers and others, with preliminary patient data in hand, went to the homes of patients to play musical instruments and perform songs. This practice contributed to the patients' recovery process.