Interaction between the nursing technician and the family of the hospitalized patient

Abstract

Objective: Analyze the interactions observed between the nursing technician and the family of the hospitalized patient, in the light of the premises of Patient and Family-Centered Care and the Ethics Code of Nursing Professionals. Methods: Qualitative study with the premises of Patient and Family-Centered Care and the Ethics Code of Nursing Professionals as the theoretical frameworks. The participants were nine nursing technicians from the medical clinical wards of two public hospitals in the State of São Paulo. The data were collected using participant observation and analyzed using Conventional Qualitative Content Analysis. Results: The interactions between the nursing technician and the relatives were limited in terms of using the premises of Patient and Family-Centered Care and in complying with the recommendations of the Ethics Code of Nursing Professionals, as the following categories revealed: Not treating the family members with respect and dignity; Not sharing information with the family members; Not negotiating on how to participate and collaborate in the care provision. Conclusion: It is fundamental to incorporate the premises of Patient and Family-Centered Care and the ethical aspects related to the family recommended in the Ethics Code of Nursing Professionals and in the professional experience of the nursing technician, contributing to high-quality, ethical and solidary care.