Therapeutic itinerary of families of children with chronic diseases

Abstract

Abstract Objective: to understand the Therapeutic Itineraries of families of children with chronic diseases. Method: phenomenological study conducted at a university hospital, with ten families of children with chronic diseases who participated in a phenomenological interview with the guiding question - 'Tell me about the path you (and your family) traveled in search of health care for your child before arriving at this hospital'. Results: four thematic categories emerged: Walking in search of health care for their child - the beginning of the saga; Perceiving themselves as vulnerable in front of the Unified Health System; From the difficulty to get access to health care to unexpected help and Arriving at the reference service - from the relief of care to the perception of the existence of new problems. Discussion: some families were referred by bonds of friendship, transfer through zero vacancy and spontaneous demand in other health services. After the diagnosis and beginning of treatment, the family showed hope for a cure, reporting a sense of relief when they saw the child being cared for. Conclusion: it was evidenced that children with chronic diseases and their families experience a long process of seeking access to health care, mainly due to the need for referral to referral hospitals.