The relevance of nurses in the health care of children with cancer staying in Belo Horizonte

Abstract

Objective: Explore the perception of the nurse’s role in a shelter house that provides care for children undergoing cancer treatment in the Belo Horizonte region. Methods: This descriptive and exploratory study used a qualitative approach and involved seven healthcare professionals. Data were collected through a sociodemographic questionnaire and a discursive group interview conducted on-site. Laurence Bardin’s content analysis method was employed, revealing four distinct categories. Results: The participants had an average age of 36.1 years and worked in fields such as psychology, social work, physiotherapy, nutrition, and nursing. The findings indicated that the social categorization of institutions limits the nurse’s role, confining it primarily to medical support functions and referrals. Additionally, nurses are often perceived in association with medical prescriptions, which reflects a lack of understanding of their autonomous competencies. Conclusion: The study concluded that social categorization reduces the visibility of healthcare and underutilized nurses’ skills. To address this, it is crucial to train multidisciplinary teams and integrate nurses, fostering an approach that combines health and social assistance.