Dimension of nursing and family care to hospitalized children: conceptions of nursing

Abstract

Family participation in the care of a hospitalized child, both regarding its forms and dimension, has been a theme of study in nursing. The objective of this study was to analyze the organization of both nursing care and family care to the hospitalized child. This qualitative research was performed using semi-structured interviews with nursing staff of a school-hospital. Theme analysis was used to guide data organization. The results show that nursing care focuses on procedures. Interaction with the children and their family is tangential to the caring process. Families have shared responsibilities with the staff but have not been recognized as a co-participant or been included into the caring perspective. Efforts should be made to create bonds to promote a logic regarding the process of work within the integrality perspective and to rescue the caring dimension of nursing.