Maternal perception of the father's participation in the child's hospitalization in a pediatric intensive care unit

Abstract

Objective: to understand the maternal perception of the father's participation during the child's hospitalization in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Methods: this is a qualitative research of phenomenological inspiration, whose methodological reference for the analysis of the speeches was the analysis of the structure of the situated phenomenon, arising from 12 interviews with mothers of hospitalized children in the countryside of the state of São Paulo. Results: three thematic categories emerged: Participating in the child's illness process - the essentiality of the father's presence; Suffering for the child - the father affected by the hospitalization; Not being able to be with the child - the father prevented from being a companion during hospitalization. Mothers recognize the fathers' participation during the child's hospitalization through support, sharing activities, and the importance of the child's recovery. However, the suffering resulting from illness and hospitalization, the need to dedicate themselves to their jobs, organizational issues at the hospital, and the absence of labor laws prevent parents from staying in the health service. Conclusion: pediatric units need to modify institutional norms, welcome mother and father, offer permanence conditions, and support them during the child's hospitalization. The Family Nursing area must discuss the father's participation in the child's life, especially in the hospital and intensive care environment, to promote the elaboration of laws that guarantee the maintenance of the job in case of accompanying the child during the hospitalization.