Cultural aspects of caring for children in pain: pediatric nurses’ experiences

Abstract

Pain is a multidimensional phenomenon that results from the interrelation between sensitive, emotional and cultural aspects. It is also a social construction, considered that each society has a pain culture in a given moment and historical perspective. The objective of this study was to characterize the family and socio-cultural context of nurses that cared for children in pain, as well as their experiences and their meanings given to pain and how it influenced their care assistance to children. We interviewed 15 nurses who worked in the Pediatric Ward of three hospitals in a city in Paraná. Data were analyzed qualitatively related to the theme: the experiences of pain and its consequences. Results allowed the identification of the relation between the nurses’ pain experiences and their consequences on the care given to the child. These nurses tend to favor algetic conditions similar to the ones they have experienced. They highlighted the correlation between work situations and occasions that involved their own children, nephew and nieces and other relatives. It is clear that personal pain experiences have influence over the care given to their children patients in pain. The interviewees not always realize this influence, therefore the need to extend this discussion in hospitals with all the members of the health team.