Nurses’ perception on violence against children and adolescents by their companion in pediatric ward

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: to know the nurses’ perception on violence against children by their companion in pediatric ward; describe the nurses’ actions in this situation; analyze these actions in light of government policies; and know the organization and communication of the multidisciplinary team to face this phenomenon. Method: a descriptive qualitative research conducted through semi-structured interviews with nurses. Thematic analysis identified three categories: “A perception of violence”; “Actions and interventions performed by nurses”; and “Multidisciplinary team organization and communication”. Results: nurses recognize the types of violence, but attaches greater severity to physical violence. The reported causes were children with difficult temperaments, transgenerational violence and hospitalization. The actions were dialogue, companion-child separation, registry and notification to the Guardianship Council. Poor communication from the multidisciplinary team and medical-centric organization have been reported.

Keywords

• public policies are directed towards violence outside institutional environments
• consequently they lack guidelines for addressing witnessed situations
• Nurses
• Violence
• Child
• Hospitalization
• Caregivers