Nursing care to hospitalized children with chronic cancer pain: Health professional perception

Abstract

Objective: Understanding the perception of health professionals with regards to the nursing care offered to children hospitalized with chronic cancer pain. Method: Qualitative approach, anchored in theoretical and methodological frameworks from, respectively, the Theory of Complexity and Grounded Theory. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview with non-participant observation. A total of 21 health professionals participated in the research. Results: The health professionals evaluated the nursing assistance offered to children with chronic cancer pain as good. However, the need for some improvements was found regarding the structural and organizational aspects of the unit, in the approach to the relatives of the child, in the approach to the child who require contact precautions, and valuing of the professionals. Conclusion: The nursing care offered to the child with chronic cancer pain was challenging, be it due to the improvement needs, be it due to managerial and leadership issues.