Children with Cancer in the Process of Dying and their Families: Confrontation of Nursing Team

Abstract

Introduction: To care for children with cancer and their families, the nursing staff must understand the process of dying, because this kind of care is very different and difficult, considering the operational and relational aspects. Objective: Describe the specifics of nursing care for children in the process of dying and their families and analyze the performance of the team towards this child and his family. Method: Qualitative research, carried out in a hospital specializing in Oncology in Rio de Janeiro. The subjects were six members of the nursing staff who participated in the non-directive interview from January to March 2010. The documents were treated using Thematic Analysis. Results: Death is understood as a loss and, sometimes, a relief. The team has difficulty in experiencing the dying process of the child and provides coping strategies, such as not leaving the child to die alone, separating the professional from the emotional, neutralizing feelings and never showing weakness. Conclusion: The nursing staff has difficulties in dealing with the death of a child with terminal cancer and supporting his/her family. These difficulties are related to the lack of understanding of palliative care.