Dignified death for children: perceptions of nurses from an oncology unit

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the meaning of dignified death and the interventions employed by nurses in pediatric oncology to promote dignified death for children. We used Symbolic Interaction Theory as the theoretical framework and narrative research methods. The data were collected from eight nurses in the pediatric oncology unit of a public hospital in Sao Paulo through semi-structured interviews. The data analysis revealed five categories: feeling no autonomy in decision-making, caring for the family, offering physical comfort, valuing humanized care and learning to deal with death and dying. This study helps to extend the understanding of this process of care and postulates a theoretical framework that integrates the knowledge and actions that constitute care that transcends clinical and biological needs.