Unfolding the occupational therapist's role on children oncology in hospital settings

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Cancer is a very invasive disease causing limitations in the child and their families' lives. It is important to have a team work who offers very high quality assistance during hospitalization, because this treatment causes feelings of uncertainty of unknowing procedures and pain. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the occupational therapist role in the treatment of children with cancer in hospital settings. METHODOLOGY: Data was collected by a semi-structured interview questionnaire, which was sent by email to the National Hospital Setting of Occupational Therapists Group attached to the invitation letter/Agreement Term. The interview questionnaire had questions related to the personal and professional information as well as characterization of the occupational therapists interventions. According to the inclusion criteria, the participants should currently work or have previously worked in the hospital settings with children with cancer. Data were analyzed by using quantitative and qualitative methods. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: The sample had six occupational therapists. Using the quantitative analyses it was established the percentage of responses about the participants profile and the analyses of the qualitative data allowed to create three thematic categories with eight subcategories. In spite of the difficulties of the clinical practice, in general, was observed that occupational therapists were focused in offer a functional rehabilitation to children with limitations caused by the pathology itself or the treatment and to offer a humanized assistance to all involved in the process of sickness.