Support systems in the pediatric intensive therapy unit: family perspective

Abstract

Objective: to identify and to analyze the support systems used by family members for the adaptation process to the child’s hospitalization in the intensive care unit. Method: qualitative research, conducted in a hospital located in the Southern Brazil. Data were collected between June and July 2017, through semi-structured interviews with family members of hospitalized children. The adaptation model and thematic analysis were used for data processing. Results: four themes emerged: family and friends as a support system; the family members of other hospitalized children as a support system; spirituality as a support system; health team as a support system. Final considerations: identifying the support systems used in the process of family adaptation and their manifestations of interdependence was possible. The need of the nurses to intensify the listening to strengthen the support system of the family members of the children hospitalized in the unit studied.

Comunicação com a equipa de saúde intensivista: perspetiva da família de crianças hospitalizadas

“…If communication is not adequate, effective, respectful, and sincere, it can be a misfortune (Luiz et al, 2017). With quality guidance and the existence of a support system, families experience the period of their children's hospitalization with greater calm, sense of safety, and positive thinking, being able to focus on the better days to come (Bazzan et al, 2019). Thus, health teams need to be trained to assume this role, realizing that communication constitutes a commitment that prevents families from feeling helpless during this period.…”

Intervenções de Enfermagem Promotoras da Adaptação da Criança/Jovem/Família à Hospitalização: uma Scoping Review

“…En un contexto de cuidados intensivos, la hospitalización de un niño tiene un gran impacto en la familia, porque en ese momento, todos los sueños y proyectos de vida se convierten en miedo, teniendo en cuenta la gravedad de la situación del niño (21) . En esta circunstancia, la relación entre los miembros de la familia tiende a cambiar.…”

“…El sistema de apoyo se basa en el modo de adaptación de la interdependencia del MAR. La interdependencia es notoria entre los miembros de la familia que experimentan un proceso de hospitalización, que se revela a través del apoyo emocional, espiritual e incluso financiero proporcionado (21) . En este sentido, Foster et al (22) reflexionan sobre las experiencias y necesidades de los padres de niños gravemente heridos.…”

“…Es innegable la importancia que tiene para los miembros de la familia construir el sistema de apoyo con los profesionales de la salud, ya que les ayuda a afrontar y adaptarse a la enfermedad del niño, reduciendo los síntomas de estrés y la sensación de miedo. La comunicación eficaz entre los profesionales de la salud y la familia puede reducir la ansiedad que se siente ante la enfermedad y la hospitalización, por lo que el equipo de enfermería tiene como objetivo promover la adaptación de la familia, contribuyendo a su salud y calidad de vida (21) .…”