Abstract
This study aimed to describe structure, functionality and development of pediatric heart transplant families, from the understanding of the experienced chronic condition. A descriptive, exploratory study using a qualitative approach was developed in a hospital situated in a city of Northeast Brazil, in 2012. The study was conducted with three families, using the Calgary Family Assessment Model (CFAM). In addition to the genogram, an analysis of the children’s/adolescents’ family members was conducted at the time of interview. Two families were binuclear families and one was mononuclear. From the evaluation, it was possible to determine the care and support network of children and adolescents with heart transplants, as well as some difficulties faced by the investigated families. Nurses are important in this family context since the visualization of the family genogram can generate a change in the nursing care to each family.
Highlights
Conceptions on family and children have undergone transformations over time, being influenced in each historical period by advances in knowledge and the involvement of multiple agents and segments of society
Three genograms were designed to represent the families of children/adolescents who underwent heart transplants, allowing for the understanding of their internal and external structures, as described below. 3.1
The family evaluation based on Calgary Family Assessment Model (CFAM) allowed for learning about the families and brought forth the main aspects of their structure, development and function
Summary
Conceptions on family and children have undergone transformations over time, being influenced in each historical period by advances in knowledge and the involvement of multiple agents and segments of society. Chronic conditions in childhood are those of biological, psychological or cognitive bases, which last or have the potential to last a year and that produce sequelae [2]. There has been an increase of chronic conditions in childhood, especially of those related to illness. With respect to chronic heart disease, an increased rate of survival and the demand for complex care has been observed. Chronic heart disease is a continuous threat, to the patient’s life and for those who are close to them, since this condition affects their lives as a whole, dramatically changing their daily routine [3]
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