<b>The family of the child with cancer: perceptions of nursing professionals working in pediatric oncology</b> doi: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v11i4.21661

Abstract

The illness of a child, especially in situations of serious diseases like cancer, can alter significantly the family dynamics and cause conflicts and other negative repercussions. Thus, the nursing team who works in pediatric oncology needs to direct special attention both to the child who is sick and their families in order to accept and valorize her autonomous and collaborative participation in decisions and care. This study aimed to know the perceptions of nursing professionals working in pediatric oncology on families of children with cancer in the context of his illness. It is a qualitative research, phenomenological model, conducted among April and June 2009. Interviews with nurses from a hospital specialized in oncology in Goiania-Go were recorded. The analysis was based on the Method of Qualitative Analysis of the Situated Phenomenon. We learned that the team tries to understand the feelings experienced by families and the changes that pervade their daily lives. Recognize the collaborator function of the family during the process of facing cancer, despite the difficulties in dealing with situations of distress and suffering. It is believed that all members of the nursing team have a key role in assisting in pediatric oncology focused on taking care of the whole child and his family.