Loading...
Publication
Desafios para a prática de enfermagem em crianças e adolescentes com perturbação do espetro do autismo em contexto hospitalar
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 MB | Adobe PDF |
Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
A perturbação do espetro do autismo (PEA) é uma condição neurológica
complexa, de etiologia desconhecida, caracterizada por défices na comunicação
e interação social, no desenvolvimento e compreensão de relacionamentos, e
pela presença de padrões de comportamento restritos e repetitivos (American
Psychiatric Association (APA), 2022; Federação Portuguesa de Autismo, 2021;
Hockenberry et al., 2023). Para crianças e adolescentes com PEA, a
hospitalização pode ser particularmente desafiante, pois retira-os do seu
ambiente familiar e expõe-nos a estímulos frequentemente aversivos (Quiban,
2020). Por outro lado, os enfermeiros que prestam cuidados a estas crianças e
adolescentes podem experienciar ansiedade e insegurança, por não se sentirem
devidamente capacitados para tal (Hazen & Prager, 2017).
Objetivos: Conhecer as estratégias que os enfermeiros utilizam no contacto com
crianças e adolescentes com PEA em contexto hospitalar.
Metodologia: Estudo qualitativo, exploratório, descritivo, recorrendo a uma
amostragem de conveniência composta por enfermeiros com experiência em
lidar com crianças e adolescentes com PEA em contexto hospitalar e que
aceitaram participar no estudo. A recolha de dados foi realizada com recurso a
entrevista semiestruturada, prolongando-se até atingir a saturação de dados.
Resultados: Os resultados evidenciaram que, apesar do interesse e
sensibilidade dos enfermeiros face ao tema, muitos sentem-se pouco
preparados para lidar com crianças e adolescentes com PEA. Esta lacuna
resulta, sobretudo, da escassez de formação específica e da ausência de
conhecimento sobre estratégias eficazes para melhorar a sua experiência
hospitalar. O papel dos pais foi amplamente reconhecido e valorizado pelos
enfermeiros, destacando-se como um elemento essencial no conforto e no
controlo emocional e comportamental destas crianças e adolescentes.
Adicionalmente, identificou-se que o ambiente hospitalar nem sempre está
adequado para dar resposta às necessidades específicas desta população
pediátrica, representando um desafio acrescido na prestação de cuidados.
Conclusões: Este estudo realça a necessidade de reforçar a capacitação dos
enfermeiros no acompanhamento de crianças e adolescentes com PEA em
contexto hospitalar, colmatando a falta de formação e promovendo estratégias
que facilitem a adaptação destas crianças e adolescentes ao meio hospitalar. Os
resultados obtidos destacam a necessidade de continuar a desenvolver
investigação nesta área, com o objetivo de melhorar a qualidade dos cuidados
prestados. As conclusões alcançadas sublinham a pertinência do tema em
estudo, evidenciando a importância de incentivar novas investigações que
contribuam para a evolução do conhecimento e para a excelência dos cuidados
de enfermagem prestados.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological condition of unknown etiology, characterized by deficits in communication and social interaction, in the development and understanding of relationships, and by the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior (APA, 2022; Federação Portuguesa de Autismo, 2021; Hockenberry et al., 2023). For children and adolescents with ASD, hospitalization can be particularly challenging, as it removes them from their home environment and exposes them to often aversive stimuli (Quiban, 2020). On the other hand, nurses who care for these children and adolescents can experience anxiety and insecurity because they don't feel adequately trained to do so (Hazen & Prager, 2017). Objectives: To find out what strategies nurses use when dealing with children and adolescents with ASD in a hospital setting. Methodology: This is a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study using a convenience sample made up of nurses with experience in dealing with children and adolescents with ASD in a hospital setting who agreed to take part in the study. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured interviews and continued until data saturation was reached. Results: The results showed that, despite nurses' interest in and sensitivity to the subject, many feel poorly prepared to deal with children and adolescents with ASD. This gap is mainly the result of a lack of specific training and the absence of knowledge about effective strategies to improve their hospital experience. The role of parents was widely recognized and valued by the nurses, as an essential element in the comfort and emotional and behavioural control of these children and adolescents. In addition, it was identified that the hospital environment is not always adequate to meet the specific needs of this pediatric population, representing an added challenge in the provision of care. Conclusion: This study highlights the need to strengthen the training of nurses in the care of children and adolescents with ASD in a hospital setting, addressing the lack of training and promoting strategies that facilitate the adaptation of these children and adolescents to the hospital environment. The results obtained highlight the need to continue developing research in this area, with the aim of improving the quality of care provided. The conclusions reached underline the relevance of the subject under study, highlighting the importance of encouraging new research that contributes to the evolution of knowledge and to the excellence of the nursing care provided.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological condition of unknown etiology, characterized by deficits in communication and social interaction, in the development and understanding of relationships, and by the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior (APA, 2022; Federação Portuguesa de Autismo, 2021; Hockenberry et al., 2023). For children and adolescents with ASD, hospitalization can be particularly challenging, as it removes them from their home environment and exposes them to often aversive stimuli (Quiban, 2020). On the other hand, nurses who care for these children and adolescents can experience anxiety and insecurity because they don't feel adequately trained to do so (Hazen & Prager, 2017). Objectives: To find out what strategies nurses use when dealing with children and adolescents with ASD in a hospital setting. Methodology: This is a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study using a convenience sample made up of nurses with experience in dealing with children and adolescents with ASD in a hospital setting who agreed to take part in the study. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured interviews and continued until data saturation was reached. Results: The results showed that, despite nurses' interest in and sensitivity to the subject, many feel poorly prepared to deal with children and adolescents with ASD. This gap is mainly the result of a lack of specific training and the absence of knowledge about effective strategies to improve their hospital experience. The role of parents was widely recognized and valued by the nurses, as an essential element in the comfort and emotional and behavioural control of these children and adolescents. In addition, it was identified that the hospital environment is not always adequate to meet the specific needs of this pediatric population, representing an added challenge in the provision of care. Conclusion: This study highlights the need to strengthen the training of nurses in the care of children and adolescents with ASD in a hospital setting, addressing the lack of training and promoting strategies that facilitate the adaptation of these children and adolescents to the hospital environment. The results obtained highlight the need to continue developing research in this area, with the aim of improving the quality of care provided. The conclusions reached underline the relevance of the subject under study, highlighting the importance of encouraging new research that contributes to the evolution of knowledge and to the excellence of the nursing care provided.
Description
Keywords
Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo Criança Adolescente Cuidados de Enfermagem