Percepção de familiares de crianças hospitalizadas acerca do cuidado de Enfermagem na ala pediátrica de um hospital de Santa Inês

Abstract

The admission of a child into the hospital to treat an acute or chronic illness often generates anxiety, fear, and insecurity in both the child and their family. This study aims to investigate the perceptions of caregivers of hospitalized children regarding nursing care, in order to provide reflections and analyses that contribute to improving the quality of pediatric hospital care. It is a field research with a quantitative and qualitative approach, of a descriptive-exploratory type, conducted in the pediatric ward of the Municipal Hospital of Santa Inês, in the state of Maranhão. The target population for this study was the caregivers of children hospitalized in the pediatric wards of the Municipal Hospital of Santa Inês, with a sample of 98 participants. Data collection was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire, through interviews carried out during July and August of the current year. The research complied with the requirements of Resolution No. 466/12 of the National Health Council and was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP). The results of the study showed that pediatric hospitalization presents significant challenges for the child and their family, causing emotional, social, and financial impacts that require careful attention from nursing teams. Although family members recognize and appreciate the nursing team's efforts to provide quality care, there are important gaps that can be addressed to improve the hospital experience. Among the most frequently mentioned aspects by the participants were the need for clearer and more frequent communication, strengthening emotional support, and adopting practices that value the role of the family as an integral part of the care process. It is hoped that this research will inspire new reflections and initiatives in the field of pediatric healthcare, encouraging professionals and managers to adopt a more sensitive and proactive approach to the needs of patients and their families.