Abstract

ALMEIDA, Fabiane de Amorim; PARREIRA, Livia Helena Della Dea; LIMA, Aline de Barros Campanelli  and  TROVO, Mônica Martins. The Emotional Care of Family Members and Caregivers of People with Cancer in the Hospital. NTQR [online]. 2023, vol.18, e922.  Epub Nov 30, 2023. ISSN 2184-7770.  https://doi.org/10.36367/ntqr.18.2023.e922.

Introduction: When accompanying the person with cancer during hospitalization, the family member or caregiver can carry their suffering with them, taking responsibility for their physical and emotional needs. This experience can generate exhaustion due to the overload generated by the stress that involves the illness and hospitalization situation. Objectives: To understand the perception of family members and caregivers about their emotional health when accompanying a cancer patient in the hospital; outline the strategies used by them to promote emotional self-care. Method: Descriptive-exploratory, qualitative study, carried out in an extra-sized private hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The sample consisted of 15 family members and three caregivers of hospitalized cancer patients. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews, using Bardin's Thematic Content Analysis for data analysis. Results: The speeches show the experience of those who assume the role of caring for the person with cancer, having to deal with the difficulties that arise in the hospital and, at the same time, being the source of strength for that person, in addition to the change in their routine of life due to frequent hospitalizations. However, over time, they feel calmer and more confident in assuming the role of companion, seeking strategies that promote their own emotional care, such as religious support, practice of sports and hobbies, meditation, yoga, psychological care, watching television, read and listen to music, study and work online, among others. Final considerations: To face the physical and emotional overload when accompanying the cancer patient, family members/caregivers use several initiatives that favor emotional self-care. Health institutions must provide the necessary support so that these strategies are valued and incorporated into the daily lives of these people who assume the role of companions.

Keywords : Emotional stress; Caregiver; Family; Oncology; Qualitative research.

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