Family Health Strategy Nurses’ Knowledge of Assessment and Treatment of Oncologic Wounds

Abstract

Introduction: People with oncologic wounds require palliative care to control signs and symptoms of the disease, minimizing complications and improving quality of life. In cities where this kind of care is not available, the primary care units provide this care to patients. The nurse, as a member of the healthcare team, should have knowledge and technical expertise to evaluate and treat these injuries, providing a comprehensive and individualized care to patient and his/her family. Objective: To identify the difficulties faced by nurses in caring people with oncologic wounds in the context of the Family Health Strategy, and describe the aspects evaluated and implemented actions in monitoring the patients with this injuries. Method: It’s a descriptive research, with quantitative approach, developed from September to December/2011 with fourteen nurses working in Basic Health Care in a city of Rio Grande do Norte state. The data were collected through interviews. Results: The results showed that most respondents did not study oncologic wounds during graduation and did not participate in trainings about this topic. The professionals face difficulties in dressing and medicines choosing to be used in malignant lesions and limitations in the operationalization of the assistance due to problems in organizing the service. Conclusion: They were presented gaps in graduation and poor working conditions as limiting factors of professional practice. We conclude that is necessary to invest in nurses’ formation and structuring health facilities, to improve care to individuals with oncologic wounds.