Processo de Adaptação de Familiares de Crianças Internadas em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica

Abstract

Process of Adaptation of Families of Children Interned in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. 2018. 156 p. Dissertation (Master degree) - Nursing Graduate Program. Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas. Before the hospitalization of a child in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the family members undergo an adaptive process, developing adaptive mechanisms from each situation in which they were exposed, which will imply in all their individual behavior seeking the best way to experience hospitalization in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The objective of this research was: to know the process of adaptation of family members when experiencing the hospitalization of the child in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Methodology: This is a descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach. Participants were 13 relatives of children who gave the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in a teaching hospital in southern Brazil from June to July 2017. Data were organized and analyzed according to Braun and Clarke (2006) ) and interpreted through the theoretical reference: Nursing theory - The adaptation model of Roy (2009). Results: The interviews were categorized, elaborating two themes for presentation as an article: The first article entitled 'The process of family adaptation to child hospitalization in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit' has as its themes' Impact on child interaction in Unity Pediatric Intensive Therapy 'and' Mechanisms of adaptation of family members to hospitalization in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit '. And the second article entitled: 'Support systems in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: family perspective' and its categories: 'Family and friends as a support system', 'Family components of other children hospitalized as a support system' , 'The health team as a support system', 'Spirituality as a support system'. It is understood that the family experiences the process of adaptation during the hospitalization of children in a PICU, developing mechanisms to adapt to the impacts they suffer in seeing the child linked to technological devices and exposed to all treatment. In addition, family members develop support systems as adaptation mechanisms, providing them with mutual support to cope with the situation. Final Considerations: Therefore, the study allows to reflect on the professional actions towards the families, indicating strategies that the health professionals can adopt, favoring that these experiences are more productive and less traumatic. Thus, taking advantage of this period to build positive interactions with families, allowing them to be creative, to express themselves, to attribute meanings to their experiences and to acquire new knowledge, thus promoting family health and, above all, child health.