The daily life in the context of illness and hospitalization: what say the accompanying mothers of children diagnosed with neoplasia?

• Main Authors: Camila Rebeca Vieira de Almeida, Isabelle Craveiro de Oliveira Leite, Cibele Braga Ferreira, Victor Augusto Cavaleiro Corrêa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de São Carlos 2016-04-01
• Series: Cadernos de Terapia Ocupacional
• Subjects: Mothers; Hospitalization; Activities of Daily Living.
• Online Access: http://www.cadernosdeterapiaocupacional.ufscar.br/index.php/cadernos/article/view/1175/710

Introduction: Daily life is a complex, multidimensional and processual phenomenon, in which all people are included; it measures the succession of human life, and is the constituent basis of life, promoting the direction (s) of the continuity of existence. Among the childhood diseases, cancer is noted for its high incidence and impact on the lives and daily life of the child and their parents or guardians, being common for children with cancer and their caregivers to experience hospitalization. Objective: Considering the importance and impact of daily living for health hand well-being, we aimed to uncover the meanings of the hospital routine experience for mothers of children diagnosed with cancer. Method: This is a qualitative research with phenomenological content analysis; from the application of semi-structure interviews with nine mothers, in a Public Hospital. Results: The results revealed that the hospital routine can be permeated by physical discomfort, anguish; fears, uncertainties, difficulties in adapting to the rules, environment and hospital procedures; by nostalgia, isolation from people, contexts and meaningful occupations; and tasks linked to the child care. However, people can (re) think the daily life through occupational experiences and supportive relationships between caregivers, which may contribute to the perception of well-being and learning resulting from this experience. Conclusion: Therefore, this experience and the way it can interfere with the health and well-being of people should receive attention from occupational therapists in hospitals.