Amanda Mota Pacciulio Sposito

Coping Strategies Used by Hospitalized Children with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

PURPOSE To analyze coping strategies used by children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy during hospitalization. DESIGN AND METHODS This was an exploratory study to analyze qualitative data using an inductive thematic analysis. Semistructured interviews using puppets were conducted with 10 children with cancer, between 7 and 12 years old, who were hospitalized and undergoing chemotherapy. FINDINGS The coping strategies to deal with chemotherapy were: understanding the need for chemotherapy; finding relief for the chemotherapys side effects and pain; seeking pleasure in nourishment; engaging in entertaining activities and having fun; keeping the hope of cure alive; and finding support in religion. CONCLUSIONS Children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy need to cope with hospitalizations, pain, medication side effects, idle time, and uncertainty regarding the success of treatment. These challenges motivated children to develop their own coping strategies, which were effective while undergoing chemotherapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE By gaining knowledge and further understanding about valid coping strategies during chemotherapy treatment, health professionals can mobilize personal and material resources from the children, health teams, and institutions aiming to potentiate the use of these strategies to make treatments the least traumatic.

Puppets as a strategy for communication with Brazilian children with cancer.

Children are considered competent social actors. Although they are able to express their opinions, they may have some difficulties in answering direct verbal questions, requiring researchers and health professionals to enter their world by using auxiliary resources for communication. This study presents the experience of using finger puppets as a playful strategy for improving interaction and communication with hospitalized children with cancer, aged seven to 12. It describes the strategy of making and using puppets as an auxiliary tool to communicate with children with cancer and presents the results and limitations of using puppets in clinical practice. The use of the puppets, creatively and in accordance with the childrens motor, cognitive, and emotional development, showed benefits, such as allowing the children to freely express themselves; respecting their autonomy; and minimizing the hierarchical adult-child relationship. The use of puppets is an appropriate strategy to communicate with hospitalized children. This tool can also enrich clinical practice, as it encourages children with cancer to report their experience of being ill and also helps the health team during evaluation and intervention.

[Playful strategies for data collection with child cancer patients: an integrative review].

Children are the best sources of information on their experiences and opinions, and qualitative studies have favored the development and application of techniques that facilitate their self-expression and approaching the researcher. Through an integrative literature review, the objective of this research was to identify playful resources used in qualitative research data collection with child cancer patients, and their forms of application. Systemized searches of electronic databases and a virtual library were undertaken, which, combined with a non-systemized sample, totaled 15 studies spanning the period from 2000 and 2010. Drawing, toys, puppets, photography and creativity and sensitivity dynamics were identified which, in association with interviews or not, were shown to directly or indirectly facilitate data collection, thereby broadening the interaction with the children, and permitting further expression of their feelings. The advantages and limitations of using these resources are presented thus contributing to planning research with children.

ESTRATÉGIAS LÚDICAS DE COLETA DE DADOS COM CRIANÇAS COM CÂNCER: REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA

Children are the best sources of information on their experiences and opinions, and qualitative studies have favored the development and application of techniques that facilitate their self-expression and approaching the researcher. Through an integrative literature review, the objective of this research was to identify playful resources used in qualitative research data collection with child cancer patients, and their forms of application. Systemized searches of electronic databases and a virtual library were undertaken, which, combined with a non-systemized sample, totaled 15 studies spanning the period from 2000 and 2010. Drawing, toys, puppets, photography and creativity and sensitivity dynamics were identified which, in association with interviews or not, were shown to directly or indirectly facilitate data collection, thereby broadening the interaction with the children, and permitting further expression of their feelings. The advantages and limitations of using these resources are presented thus contributing to planning research with children.

O ALÍVIO DA DOR ONCOLÓGICA: ESTRATÉGIAS CONTADAS POR ADOLESCENTES COM CÂNCER

Ante el impacto negativo del dolor en la calidad de vida del paciente oncologico, identificar y estimular el uso de estrategias eficaces para minimizar esas sensaciones dolorosas es muy relevante para el cuidado. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar experiencias dolorosas de adolescentes con cancer y conocer sus estrategias para aliviar el dolor. Estudio exploratorio con analisis cualitativo de los datos. Fueron realizadas entrevistas semiestructuradas con nueve adolescentes con cancer, que relataron experiencias dolorosas agudas, recurrentes y cronicas, fisicas y emocionales. Para aliviar esos dolores, describieron estrategias farmacologicas y no farmacologicas, tales como: distraccion; presencia de familiares, posicionamiento en el lecho, colaboracion para efectuar procedimientos y mantenimiento de pensamiento positivo. Asi, es fundamental que los profesionales de salud conozcan las evidencias disponibles para el alivio del dolor y desarrollen habilidades para articular ese conocimiento a su experiencia profesional, asi como estrategias de los propios pacientes

El alivio del dolor oncológico: estrategias contadas por adolescentes con cáncer

Ante el impacto negativo del dolor en la calidad de vida del paciente oncologico, identificar y estimular el uso de estrategias eficaces para minimizar esas sensaciones dolorosas es muy relevante para el cuidado. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar experiencias dolorosas de adolescentes con cancer y conocer sus estrategias para aliviar el dolor. Estudio exploratorio con analisis cualitativo de los datos. Fueron realizadas entrevistas semiestructuradas con nueve adolescentes con cancer, que relataron experiencias dolorosas agudas, recurrentes y cronicas, fisicas y emocionales. Para aliviar esos dolores, describieron estrategias farmacologicas y no farmacologicas, tales como: distraccion; presencia de familiares, posicionamiento en el lecho, colaboracion para efectuar procedimientos y mantenimiento de pensamiento positivo. Asi, es fundamental que los profesionales de salud conozcan las evidencias disponibles para el alivio del dolor y desarrollen habilidades para articular ese conocimiento a su experiencia profesional, asi como estrategias de los propios pacientes

Oncologic pain relief: strategies told by adolescents with cancer

Ante el impacto negativo del dolor en la calidad de vida del paciente oncologico, identificar y estimular el uso de estrategias eficaces para minimizar esas sensaciones dolorosas es muy relevante para el cuidado. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar experiencias dolorosas de adolescentes con cancer y conocer sus estrategias para aliviar el dolor. Estudio exploratorio con analisis cualitativo de los datos. Fueron realizadas entrevistas semiestructuradas con nueve adolescentes con cancer, que relataron experiencias dolorosas agudas, recurrentes y cronicas, fisicas y emocionales. Para aliviar esos dolores, describieron estrategias farmacologicas y no farmacologicas, tales como: distraccion; presencia de familiares, posicionamiento en el lecho, colaboracion para efectuar procedimientos y mantenimiento de pensamiento positivo. Asi, es fundamental que los profesionales de salud conozcan las evidencias disponibles para el alivio del dolor y desarrollen habilidades para articular ese conocimiento a su experiencia profesional, asi como estrategias de los propios pacientes

Estrategias lúdicas de recolección de datos con niños con cáncer: revisión integradora

Children are the best sources of information on their experiences and opinions, and qualitative studies have favored the development and application of techniques that facilitate their self-expression and approaching the researcher. Through an integrative literature review, the objective of this research was to identify playful resources used in qualitative research data collection with child cancer patients, and their forms of application. Systemized searches of electronic databases and a virtual library were undertaken, which, combined with a non-systemized sample, totaled 15 studies spanning the period from 2000 and 2010. Drawing, toys, puppets, photography and creativity and sensitivity dynamics were identified which, in association with interviews or not, were shown to directly or indirectly facilitate data collection, thereby broadening the interaction with the children, and permitting further expression of their feelings. The advantages and limitations of using these resources are presented thus contributing to planning research with children.