Review of scientific literature on the use of group activities in nursing work in Brazil: 1980 to 2003

Abstract

Godoy MTH, Munari DB. Review of scientific literature on the use of group activities in nursing work in Brazil: 1980to 2003. Rev Latino-am Enfermagem 2006 14(5):796-802.Among the many and diverse activities carried out by nurses, many are organized within the context of a group approach. The realization that there were no systematized studies in Brazil, capable of providing parameters that would help to understand how nurses use this resource, motivated the authors to develop this study, whose objective was to review scientific literature on the use of group activity, as it relates to the work carried out by nurses, between 1980 and 2003. This was a descriptive/exploratory research developed through a bibliographic review in Brazilian journals, on the basis of a specific protocol. We were able to identify 151 articles that were reviewed in terms of the expansion of this knowledge and the different situations in which a group is used by nurses. The qualitative analysis done on pre-established categories enabled the authors to verify that nurses have been using this technique while delivering care, producing knowledge and developing human resources. This investigation allowed us to outline a panoramic view of this literature and to develop a catalogue, identifying important aspects in the construction of this knowledge by Brazilian nursing personnel. DESCRIPTORS: nursing; focus groups; nursing research ANÁLISIS DE LA PRODUCCIÓN CIENTÍFICA SOBRE LA UTILIZACIÓN DE ACTIVIDADES GRUPALES EN EL TRABAJO DEL ENFERMERO EN BRASIL: 1980 A 2003Entre las actividades del enfermero, muchas están organizadas en el contexto del trabajo en grupo. La constatación de que no había estudio sistematizado, en Brasil, que permitiese un parámetro para comprender como el enfermero utiliza ese recurso, motivó el desarrollo de este estudio, cuyo objetivo fue analizar la producción científica sobre la utilización de la actividad en grupo relacionada al trabajo del enfermero entre 1980/2003. Investigación descriptiva/exploratoria realizada a través de investigación bibliográfica en periódicos nacionales, teniendo como base un protocolo específico. Identificamos 151 artículos que fueron analizados en cuanto a la expansión de ese conocimiento y las distintas situaciones en que el grupo es utilizado en las actividades del enfermero. En el análisis cualitativo, realizado a partir de categorías previamente definidas, identificamos que el enfermero viene utilizando ese recurso en la asistencia, producción de conocimiento y formación de recursos humanos. La investigación nos permitió trazar un panorama de esa producción y elaborar un catálogo que identifica aspectos importantes en la construcción de ese conocimiento por la enfermería brasileña.Dentre as atividades do enfermeiro, muitas estão organizadas no contexto grupal. A constatação de que não havia estudo sistematizado, no Brasil, que oferecesse parâmetro para compreender como o enfermeiro utiliza esse recurso, motivou o desenvolvimento deste estudo, cujo objetivo foi analisar a produção científ...

Use of therapeutic factors for the evaluation of results in support groups

“…environment of collaboration and partnership as opposed to one of prescription and subordination (1,4,9) . In specialized groups for people with some specific disorder, or who face a situation of crisis, besides mutual support, it is important to offer explicit information about the themes involved and correct wrong conceptions or selfdestructive responses (3) .…”

“…Researchers interested in knowing its dynamics, functioning and processes have been looking at it for a long time. This study focuses on the group understood as a living organism, a distinct entity with internal laws and standards, defined as more than the sum of its individuals (1)(2)(3) . The group, in the present research, integrates a number of people in a psychological interaction, with common interests and goals (3)(4)(5) .…”

“…Their benefit resides in mutual support and sharing of experiences among people who live similar situations, with the potential to prevent the development of misguided coping patterns and encourage healthy behaviors (6) . An excellent co-adjuvant therapeutic resource to deal with people undergoing situations of crisis, the support groups help improve self-esteem and self-confidence, becoming an appropriate strategy for nurses to work with clients undergoing stress related to several types of health problems (1,(6)(7)(8)(9)(10) . The group approach facilitates emotional care and permits easing the discomfort experienced during the disease process.…”

“…The group approach facilitates emotional care and permits easing the discomfort experienced during the disease process. The support groups constitute spaces that favor the manifestation of feelings, understanding and acceptance of the disease and the process that comes along (1,6,11) . The main realization for members of these groups is that they can obtain more help from people who have already experienced or who are experiencing a situation like theirs, than from people who have never been through this experience (6)(7) .…”

Fatores terapêuticos em grupo de diabéticos

“…Regarding collective health, group activities are part of a set of actions within the healthcare programs, including those aimed at people with chronic diseases (10) . The initiative of the Ministry of Health in the implementation of the Plan for Reorganization of Hypertension Care and Diabetes Mellitus is a noteworthy example, including group activities as intervention strategies (11) .…”