Social support towards the necessity of caring after myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: to know the received or assisted social support by the family towards the necessity of care after acute myocardial infarction. METHOD: qualitative and exploratory research. Data collection was carried out through observation and interviews with six families, from February to May, 2012. Data were also analyzed based on the thematic analysis. RESULTS: three categories emerged: Immediate social support; Mediate social support; Late social support. CONCLUSION: social support follows the infarction trajectory, which attains the family members and favors the support according to the needs of care in each lived moments by the patient.

[Strategies to promote self-esteem, autonomy and self-care practices for people with chronic wounds]. / Estratégias de promoção da autoestima, autonomia e autocuidado das pessoas corn feridas crônicas.

This is a qualitative study of an exploratory nature that aims to identify the strategies used by nurses in primary care, in situations involving nursing care, to promote self-esteem, autonomy and self-care practices for people with chronic wounds. The study included eight nurses. Data were collected by means of a focus group in July 2012. The thematic analysis technique was used to identify the following categories: Nursing care from the perspective of comprehensiveness; Recovering support networks: family and social movements; Multidisciplinary work; Autonomy and nurses. It was concluded that the presented strategies value, above all, the social environment of these individuals, the family, religion and the nurse's approximation to the realities of people with chronic wounds.

[Contributions of health education groups to the knowledge of people with hypertension]. / Contribuições de grupos de educação em saúde para o saber de pessoas com hipertensão.

This study investigated how the health knowledge is constructed by individuals with hypertension, accompanied by a team of family health. This is a qualitative descriptive study, conducted with nine individuals whose data were collected through semi-structured interviews and observation. The data was analyzed through thematic analysis. The construction of knowledge in health is influenced by many elements in the everyday life of the subjects. The dialogue and interaction with others are elements of greatest impact to build such knowledge. Thus, the health education group was pointed out as a relevant activity, both due to the explanations presented by the professionals, as well as the Exchange of knowledge and experiences with the other participants. It is concluded that although living the same pedagogical activities, the repercussions of the health education actions will take effect and will be noticed differently by the subjects.

Impact of childhood cancer on parents' relationships: an integrative review.

PURPOSE: The diagnosis of cancer and the treatment decisions associated with it may cause uncertainty, stress, and anxiety among parents. Emotional tensions can affect parents' relationships during the trajectory of the child's cancer illness. We conducted an integrative review to examine the evidence related to the effects of childhood cancer on parents' relationships. METHODS: An integrative literature search of studies published between 1997 and 2009 was conducted in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Psychology Information (PsycINFO), PubMed, Scopus, CUIDEN, and Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature (LILACS). The key words used were neoplasms, child, marriage, spouses, family relations, and nursing. Articles were reviewed if the (a) topic addressed parents' relationships during childhood cancer; (b) participants were mothers, fathers, or both; (c) design was either qualitative or quantitative; (d) language was English, Portuguese, or Spanish; (e) date of publication was between January 1997 and October 2009; and (f) abstract was available. RESULTS: Fourteen articles met the search criteria and were reviewed using Cooper's framework for integrative reviews. Four themes emerged: (a) changes in the parents' relationship during the trajectory of the child's illness; (b) difficulty in communication between couples; (c) gender differences in parental stress and coping; and (d) role changes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Findings revealed positive and negative changes in parents' relationships, communication, stress, and roles. Nurses need to assess the impact of cancer diagnosis and treatments on parent relationships, offer support and encouragement, and allow expression of feelings. Future research is needed to develop and test interventions that increase parents' potentials and strengthen relationships during the challenging trajectory of their children's cancer and treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The multiple sources of stress and uncertainty associated with a child's cancer diagnosis and treatment affect parents' relationships. Difficulties in communication appear frequently in parents' relationship. Our findings may guide healthcare professionals in identifying parents at risk for developing conflicts, communication problems, and lack of alignment between parents that could interfere with providing optimal care for their child with cancer. Healthcare professionals may promote dialogue and encourage parents to express their feelings, seek mutual support, and establish a partnership in dealing with the child's illness.

[Taking care of terminal patients: nursing students' perspective]. / Cuidando de pacientes em fase terminal: a perspectiva de alunos de enfermagem.

The aim of this study is to understand how nursing undergraduates perceive themselves while care delivery to terminal patients and expose the meaning of the experience they have. Fourteen students were interviewed, and answered the following question: What is the image you have about caring for a terminal patient? Students always consider this to be a painful experience, one that puts them face to face with their weaknesses and insecurities. They attribute their difficulties to their personal incapacity to accept death and to their lack of preparation and their inexperience. They report a lack of support from professionals with whom they share this care. In terms of professional development, for some, the experience was positive, despite the difficulties; others evaluate it as negative, resulting in a rejection of similar situations. Further studies on this subject are needed with a view to a deeper and broader reflection on nursing education in Brazil.