Experiences of families of children in intraoperative period: Art as a care option

Abstract

Objective: to understand the experiences of the families of children in the intraoperative period, who were participating in a cold porcelain workshop. Methodology: this phenomenological, qualitative study was conducted at a public teaching hospital in São Paulo state with 13 families of children in the intraoperative period, after research ethics committee approval (Opinion No. 2253964). Results: the families revealed that the intraoperative period is the most critical, and full of expectations about the success and/or failure of surgery. However, by participating in the cold porcelain workshop, the families perceived new feelings of calm, tranquility, relaxation, distraction and sharing of experiences among families. Using art was considered a way of caring for the family, and recognition of that brought out a feeling of gratitude in these families. Conclusion: the cold porcelain workshop allowed people to express good feelings, as well as the acknowledgement that this was a way of caring for the family.