THE MEANING OF PAEDIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION FORM THE PERSPECTIVE OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS

Abstract

This study aimed to increase understanding of paediatric hospitalization from the perspective of the members of the children’s families and the nursing professionals in a state hospital in the town of Santa Marial, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. It is exploratory research with a qualitative character. The data was collected between August and November 2010through interviews, with a guiding question: what does hospitalization mean to you? Analyzed, the data produced two thematic units: The disorder caused by hospitalization and The opportunity to establish new forms of organization. While the process of hospitalization represents family and social disorder for the service users, at the same time it can appear as an opportunity to promote health education from the point of view of the nursing professionals.

Keywords

• The hospitalized child
• Family
• Nursing