Family Life with a School age Child in Oncologic Disease Control: Perspectives for Pediatric Nursing

Abstract

Introduction: The obligation of the student`s family in control of oncologic disease to continue visiting the Cancer Hospital I of the José Alencar Gomes da Silva Brazilian National Cancer Institute is a routine defined by the institution and adopted by the Office of Pediatric Oncology. Objectives: To describe the family´s strategies when living together with a student under control of an oncologic disease; to analyze the family´s interactions with the student and discuss the family´s life with the student. Method: The research is of qualitative nature, case-study type, involving a not directive interview in group with family members and research in medical records through a form. The study was held at the Outpatient Clinic of Pediatrics of the Cancer Hospital I, located in Rio de Janeiro/Brazil. Results: Based on the statements, it was observed, as one of the family´s strategies, to preserve the student´s health, controlling the disease at home by identifying signs and symptoms. Conclusion: The family is important in the process and allied to the team as a controller of signs and symptoms and, during the oncologic disease control, it continues its surveillance role at home, where family members, neighbors, school are involved in an aid net to the institution in order to maintain the “control” of the child´s health status.