A scoping review of the moral experiences of children with medical complexity in Brazil

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this review was to identify and summarize how the moral experiences of children with medical complexity are being expressed within the Brazilian health-related literature and discuss research gaps and directions for future research. Methods: A scoping review was performed using the methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Systematic searches were conducted on Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase databases. Articles were included if using qualitative methodologies, having children as participants, and published in Brazil. Results: In total, 6,360 articles were retrieved from databases. Sixteen studies were selected for the analysis. Final considerations: The studies were not primarily focused on children’s moral experiences. Yet, the studies demonstrate morally relevant accounts concerning children’s capacity to reason and interpret their lived experiences, expressing deep concerns about isolation, suffering, future aspirations, and feelings of normality.

Moral experiences of children with medical complexity: A participatory hermeneutic ethnography in Brazil

“…These positive experiences shared by children emphasized the importance of participating in communal activities as an experience that indicates good aspects of “normality” in their lives. These views are similar to data from a scoping review on the experiences of children with medical complexity that showed children’s discourses on good aspects related to being included in a group and participating in school activities ( Santos et al, 2020 ). In a study with children with disabilities, Connors and Stalker (2007) described how children expressed feelings of happiness associated with being part of a group and performing the same activities as their school peers.…”

Intersection of food insecurity and moral experiences of those involved in paediatric healthcare: A scoping review of child, caregiver and healthcare provider perspectives

“…A scoping review methodology was chosen given that moral experiences are a relatively emergent concept in the literature (Passos dos Santos et al, 2020).…”