Willyane de Andrade Alvarenga1, Júlia Rezende Machado2, Ana Carolina Andrade Biaggi Leite3, Sílvia Caldeira4, Margarida Vieira5, Silvana Santiago da Rocha6, Lucila Castanheira Nascimento7. 1. Post-doctoral researcher at Federal University of Piaui. Assistant Professor at Centro Universitário Santo Agostinho, 665 Valter Alencar Avenue, São Pedro, 64019-625 Teresina, PI, Brazil. Electronic address: willyalvarenga@hotmail.com. 2. Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Campus Universitário - Bairro Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-902, Brazil. Electronic address: julia.rezende.machado@usp.br. 3. Interunit Doctoral Program in Nursing, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Campus Universitário - 4Bairro Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-902, Brazil. Electronic address: ana.andrade.leite@usp.br. 4. Researcher at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Palma de Cima, 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal. Electronic address: scaldeira@ics.lisboa.ucp.pt. 5. Researcher at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: mmvieira@porto.ucp.pt. 6. Federal University of Piaui, Campus Universitário Ministro Petrônio Portella - Bairro Ininga, Teresina, PI 64049-550, Brazil. Electronic address: silvanasantiago27@gmail.com. 7. Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, 3900 Bandeirantes Avenue, Campus Universitário - Bairro Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-902, Brazil. Electronic address: lucila@eerp.usp.br.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To identify the spiritual needs of children and adolescents with chronic illnesses and how these needs are met by health professionals during hospitalization. DESIGN AND METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was developed with 35 children and adolescents, between 7 and 18 years old, diagnosed with cancer, cystic fibrosis, and type 1 diabetes. Interviews with photo-elicitation were conducted during the hospitalization at a Brazilian public pediatric hospital. Findings were treated using thematic analysis, and the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) was followed for quality reporting. This research was approved by a research committee. RESULTS: Two themes emerged. The first, entitled 'Spiritual needs', encompasses five types of needs: (1) need to integrate meaning and purpose in life; (2) need to sustain hope; (3) need for expression of faith and to follow religious practices; (4) need for comfort at the end of life; and (5) need to connect with family and friends. The second theme was the 'Definition of spiritual care'. CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with chronic illnesses have spiritual needs while in hospital. Meeting these needs is essential for finding meaning, purpose and hope in the experience of living with chronic illnesses and at the end of life, based on their faith, beliefs and interpersonal relationships. But, these needs have not been fully addressed during hospitalization. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These results emphasize the need to implement spiritual care when caring for hospitalized pediatric patients, which includes addressing spiritual needs.
PURPOSE: To identify the spiritual needs of children and adolescents with chronic illnesses and how these needs are met by health professionals during hospitalization. DESIGN AND METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was developed with 35 children and adolescents, between 7 and 18 years old, diagnosed with cancer, cystic fibrosis, and type 1 diabetes. Interviews with photo-elicitation were conducted during the hospitalization at a Brazilian public pediatric hospital. Findings were treated using thematic analysis, and the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) was followed for quality reporting. This research was approved by a research committee. RESULTS: Two themes emerged. The first, entitled 'Spiritual needs', encompasses five types of needs: (1) need to integrate meaning and purpose in life; (2) need to sustain hope; (3) need for expression of faith and to follow religious practices; (4) need for comfort at the end of life; and (5) need to connect with family and friends. The second theme was the 'Definition of spiritual care'. CONCLUSIONS:Children and adolescents with chronic illnesses have spiritual needs while in hospital. Meeting these needs is essential for finding meaning, purpose and hope in the experience of living with chronic illnesses and at the end of life, based on their faith, beliefs and interpersonal relationships. But, these needs have not been fully addressed during hospitalization. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These results emphasize the need to implement spiritual care when caring for hospitalized pediatric patients, which includes addressing spiritual needs.