Nurses’ commitment to the care of tuberculosis patients

Abstract

The objective of this qualitative study that followed the principles of the Grounded Theory was to understand the commitment of nurses in the care provided in primary health care to people with tuberculosis. The setting consisted of eight primary health care units. A theoretical sample was designed with 28 participants, including nurses, doctors, nursing assistants, technical staff, epidemiological surveillance professionals and people with tuberculosis. In-depth interviews were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using the Atlas.ti® software, by means of open, axial and selective coding. The singularities of care demanded commitment from the nurses towards tuberculosis patients, and included three components: the ethical-professional, the institutional-political and the social. This commitment was considered to be the driving force of a service that strives to guarantee quality care and access to tuberculosis patients, so that the disease is treated and patients can recover, have a healthy life and attend their social roles satisfactorily.