Evaluation of techniques of psychological support to children in pediatric intensive care units and their parents / Avaliação das técnicas de apoio psicológico a crianças internadas em unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica e a seus pais

AUTOR(ES)

Sonia Maria Baldini

DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

1997

RESUMO

The author performed a critical revision of the literature about the resources, psychotherapeutic techniques and intervention methods used for psychological support to children in pediatric intensive care units and their parents, to cope with this critical situation. With the beginning of Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units the recovery of critically ill children became more frequent, and the specialization of the pediatrician more necessary. Nevertheless, in spite of the advances and growing sophistication of the tecnological resources for clinical and surgical treatments of these children, the knowledge and treatment of the psychological impact of the critical illness in children and families is still rudimentary. For holistic treatment of critically ill children, the authors considered the whole family as patient. Many authors stressed the importance of this approach, considering the family an important support for the sick child, during the internation and after discharge. To improve techniques according to this philosophy of treatment, it was demonstrated that the knowledge of emotional reactions of sick children and of their parents, and the interaction with the multidisciplinary staff are necessary. To give emotional support to children, the authors preconized techniques for information supply, explanations about pain and procedures, the possibility to utilize toys in a therapeutic and recreative way and the permission to frequent visits including the brothers. In regard to helping the parents, many authors have applied questionnaires to evaluate stress. Also, the parentsgroups have been utilized with good results. They suggest the performance of a careful anamnesis, in search of psychological resources of the family and ways of coping with previous critical situations. It has been advised to reinforce the positive resources of the family to cope with the situation in a satisfactory way. Many authors suggested activities to increase the parentsparticipation in the care of their children, reinforcing that they are necessary and important for the sick child. The importance to give realistic information to the patient and his parents and the possibility to participate in medical decisions are stressed. To give information without support can be harmful. Sometimes, referring to specialists like psychiatrists, social workers and priests may be necessary. The authors stressed that all the techniques and resources for emotional support to critically ill children and their parents require the awareness os its importance and time and preparation of the multidisciplinary staff involved.

ASSUNTO(S)

mãe acompanhando filho no hospital/psicologia patient care team/trends intensive care units/trends psychotherapy group child hospitalized/psychology criança hospitalizada/psicologia equipe de assistência ao paciente/tendências unidades de terapia intensiva/tendências psicoterapia de grupo

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