BREAKING NEW PATHS: THERAPEUTIC ITINERARY OF FAMILIES OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH CANCER

Abstract

Objective: to describe the therapeutic itinerary of children/adolescents with cancer and their families. Method: qualitative descriptive study carried out with 11 mothers and one grandmother of children/adolescents undergoing cancer treatment, guided by the theoretical framework of the Health Care Systems Model. Data were collected from March to September 2019, through semi-structured and audio-recorded interviews, submitted to Morse and Field content analysis. Results: for the family, the path taken throughout the process of searching for diagnosis and cure was characterized by suffering and ambiguous feelings. Throughout the therapeutic itinerary, each family established their way of acting, perceiving, communicating, relating and making decisions. Final considerations: knowing the therapeutic itinerary of families of children/adolescents with cancer can guide assertive nursing interventions and support the development of strategies that improve the early diagnosis of the disease, favoring a better prognosis