A imagem corporal do idoso com câncer atendido no ambulatório de cuidados paliativos do ICHC-FMUSP / The body image of the elderly with cancer treated in the ambulatory of palliative care of the ICHC-FMUSP

RESUMO

A pesquisa caracterizou-se como estudo transversal com o objetivo de investigar a avaliação auto-referida da imagem corporal de pacientes idosos com diagnóstico de câncer fora de perspectivas terapêuticas de cura, em tratamento no Ambulatório de Cuidados Paliativos do ICHC-FMUSP e a associação com a representação da doença. Os instrumentos foram Entrevista semi-dirigida; Produção Gráfica e Escala de Imagem Corporal. Os dados foram analisados quantitativamente por frequência de conteúdo e qualitativamente pela EDAO, com referencial psicanalítico. Os resultados demonstraram que a amostra não teve inviabilizada sua percepção das possibilidades de adaptação às limitações do quadro clínico nem sua qualidade de vida. Por ser amostra idosa, por si só em momento de crise para muitos indivíduos e ter prognóstico fechado, os dados surpreenderam, o que se justifica pela relação com a equipe, cuja boa assistência interferiu na qualidade de vida e na utilização dos recursos de enfrentamento.(AU)

ABSTRACT

The research was characterized as a transversal study and had as objectives: i) to investigate the self-referred evaluation of the body image of elder subjects diagnosed with terminal stage cancer and; ii) its association with the representation of the disease. The subjects were been treated at the Ambulatory of Palliative Care of the Medical Clinic of the ICHC-FMUSP. The procedures used were the following i) partially command interview; ii) Graphic Production; iii) Body Image Scale. The data was evaluated quantitatively by content frequency, and qualitatively through EDAO. The observed findings demonstrated that subjects, had not lost their perception of their possibility to adapt to the limitations imposed by the disease. Consequently, this perception translated in better quality of life. The fact that the study was based in elderly subjects should lead us to expect the manifestation of more negative perceptions, once this stage of life by itself is usually associated with crisis for some and with unfavorable prognosis for others. These positive findings may be justified by the relationship of the subjects with the health care professionals, once quality health care may influence the quality of life and the utilization of the subjects’ own internal psychological resources and capacity to confront the disease.(AU)