Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:46:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LucianaFLMM.pdf: 513352 bytes, checksum: 63bb9a164ee30933cd308c443e49bc51 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-12-20 / This study focuses on the child within the hospital environment. Its purpose is to describe children s perceptions of their illness and time in hospital and to identify their main hardships during treatment. This study has a qualitative nature and is theoretically and methodologically supported by the creative and sensitive method developed by Cabral (1998), studies by Piaget, Vygotsky and Wallon on child development, and studies conducted by Pinto (2005), Collet (2004), Chiattone (2003), Silva (2002), Lima et.al (1999) on in-patient children. For this study, 13 children between the ages of 7 and 12 at a public hospital institution specialized in child care in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, were interviewed. As a criterion for taking part in this study the children would have to have been in hospital for over three days and be fully capable of physically and emotionally interacting with the researcher at the time the interview took place. Analysis drew on the study of the empirical material made up of interviews and a field diary where notes had been entered for the children s reactions, expressions and gestures. Results show that there is some understanding, on the part of these children, of their illness, with their parents as the main informants. They accept being in hospital because they need treatment, but they realize that life becomes different especially on account of the constraints resulting from the illness and the hospital itself. The main hardships during treatment are: lack of recreational activities in the evenings and on the weekends within the hospital environment; absence of family members, especially brothers and sisters; and lack of explanation on the part of health professionals regarding some procedures as these are being carried out. Our conclusion is that children perceive illness and the hospital environment as something that changes the rhythm of their lives bringing on them perturbations, fears and anxieties. Hence, we suggest that professionals working with in-patient children should be especially prepared to deal with these children and their parents, aiming at bringing down fears and anguishes, clear their doubts and, in addition, advise the parents in respect of their children s treatment while in hospital and after hospital discharge. The hospital environment should also be cheerful and colorful and have a toy room under the coordination of persons especially prepared for that purpose / O presente estudo focaliza a crian?a no ambiente hospitalar. Tem como objetivos descrever a percep??o de crian?as sobre sua doen?a e hospitaliza??o e identificar suas principais dificuldades com o tratamento. Trata-se de um estudo de natureza qualitativa, tendo como aporte te?rico/metodol?gico o m?todo criativo e sens?vel desenvolvido por Cabral (1998); os estudos de Piaget, Vygotsky e Wallon que abordam o desenvolvimento infantil; e os de Pinto et al. (2005), Collet (2004), Chiattone (2003), Silva (2002), Lima et al. (1999) que tratam acerca da crian?a hospitalizada. Para sua realiza??o, foram entrevistadas 13 crian?as, na faixa et?ria de 7 a 12 anos, de uma institui??o hospitalar p?blica, da cidade de Natal/RN, especializada em atendimento pedi?trico. Como crit?rio para participa??o deste estudo, as crian?as teriam que ter mais de tr?s dias de interna??o e plenas condi??es f?sicas e emocionais para interagirem com a pesquisadora, por ocasi?o da entrevista. A an?lise se processou a partir do estudo do material emp?rico que constou de entrevistas e um di?rio de campo onde eram anotadas as rea??es, express?es e gestos das crian?as. Os resultados demonstram a exist?ncia de alguma compreens?o, por parte destas crian?as, sobre sua doen?a, tendo nos pais seus principais informantes. Elas aceitam o hospital pela necessidade de tratamento, mas reconhecem que a vida fica diferente, principalmente, pelos limites resultantes da doen?a e do pr?prio hospital. As principais dificuldades com o tratamento s?o: a inexist?ncia de atividades recreativas no ambiente hospitalar ? noite e nos finais de semana, a aus?ncia dos familiares, principalmente, os irm?os, e a falta de explica??o dos profissionais de sa?de durante a realiza??o de alguns procedimentos. Conclu?mos que as crian?as percebem a doen?a e o ambiente hospitalar como algo que muda o ritmo de suas vidas e lhes causam transtornos, medos e apreens?es. Sugerimos, portanto, que os profissionais que trabalham com crian?as hospitalizadas devam receber uma forma??o especial para lidar com elas e seus pais, visando diminuir medos e ang?stias; respondendo ?s suas d?vidas, e, ainda, orientando os pais quanto ao tratamento de seu filho durante e ap?s a alta. O ambiente hospitalar deve ser tamb?m alegre, colorido, com sala destinada ? brinquedoteca, coordenada por pessoas preparadas para tal fim