Training of Caregivers of Children With Special Healthcare Needs: Simulation Contributions

Abstract

Objective: to know the contributions of simulation regarding the training of caregivers of children with special healthcare needs, in the preparation for hospital discharge. Method: descriptive-exploratory study, with qualitative approach, carried out with caregivers of children with special healthcare needs. The study was developed in a simulation center of a public university in the South of Brazil, in partnership with a state reference children's hospital. The training program was based on simulations, using low, medium and high fidelity simulators, in which 15 caregivers participated. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and submitted to content analysis, in its thematic modality. Results: two categories emerged: simulation as a learning strategy and implications of training for home care. The simulations allowed the improvement of procedural skills and coping with possible complications in the home setting. Feelings of fear and anxiety were initially triggered, especially in the high fidelity simulation. However, after the training, the caregivers felt relieved, self-confident and satisfied with their performance, highlighting the importance of the support provided during the simulations. They reported having greater confidence to perform the procedures on the child and face the challenges of home care. Conclusion: the simulation was considered a valid strategy for the training of caregivers, stimulating empowerment and self-confidence in the face of complex care required by a child with special healthcare needs. The study innovates by exploring the potentialities of simulation in this context, bringing important contributions to qualify the home care of this clientele.

Educational practices in health with families of children with special health nedds: integrative review / Práticas educativas em saúde junto aos familiares de crianças com necessidades especiais de saúde: revisão integrativa

“…21 Moreover, a simulation-based educational program provides the caregiver with knowledge and the ability to apply it in stressful situations, such as dealing with a complication at home. 20,22 Educational technologies, such as the booklet described in article A7, are considered indispensable tools to increase knowledge, satisfaction, adherence to treatment, and self-care in various populations such as patients with chronic diseases, children with gastrostomy, and aged patients, which is consistent with the current findings. [23][24][25] In this way, the use of printed educational technologies is considered a viable tool to inform and sensitize the population, because it opens new paths of health promotion, in a shared construction of knowledge between professionals and the population, besides allowing the use of new resources in the practice of care.…”

“…In this sense, simulation is shown as a great potentiality in the training of these caregivers, since it allows the improvement of technical skills, as well as the assessment of clinical manifestations and the conduct in face of home complications. 20 In the United States of America, there was a tendency to decrease hospital readmissions of children on home mechanical ventilation, up to seven days after discharge, after the implementation of a family preparation program, which used high fidelity simulation as one of its strategies. 21 Moreover, a simulation-based educational program provides the caregiver with knowledge and the ability to apply it in stressful situations, such as dealing with a complication at home.…”

Characterization of Home Care Services and care for children with special health care needs

“…Reinforcing the effectiveness of strategies involving simulation to train family members for care, a study developed in a simulation center of a public university in southern Brazil involved caregivers who evaluated training as positive and highlighted its importance to avoid errors that could worsen the child's clinical condition. Upon completion, they expressed that they felt confident, assured, and more prepared to care for the child at home (24) .…”

Caracterização dos Serviços de Atenção Domiciliar e o cuidado às crianças com necessidades especiais de saúde

“…Reforçando a efetividade de estratégias que envolvem a simulação para capacitar os familiares para o cuidado, estudo desenvolvido em um centro de simulação de uma universidade pública do Sul do Brasil envolveu cuidadores que avaliaram como positivo o treinamento e destacaram sua importância para evitar erros que poderiam agravar a condição clínica da criança. Ao concluí-lo, expressaram que se sentiam confiantes, seguros e com maior preparo para o cuidado da criança em casa (24) .…”