Chronic disease in childhood: family experience with hospitalized children

Abstract

This is an exploratory study, with a qualitative approach. It is based on a case study seeking to understand the experience of the family with a child with a chronic disease that needs hospitalization. The group studied was families accompanying children in a pediatrics ward. The most significant results recognized the importance of families for the wellbeing, recovery and care given to children. We also noticed the difficulty of health workers in planning and implementing care which generates feelings of fear, anxiety and concern in family members during the child's hospitalization.