Hospitalization from the traffic victims'and their family caregivers' points of view

• Published in: Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S P Vol. 42; no. 3; p. 539
• Main Authors: Sousa Filho, Osvaldo Albuquerque, Xavier, Erika Porto, Vieira, Luiza Jane Eyre de Souza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Brazil 01-09-2008
• Subjects: Accidents, Traffic - psychology; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Caregivers - psychology; Hospitalization; Humans; Middle Aged; Wounds and Injuries - psychology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0080-6234

This study describes the context of hospitalization experienced by traffic accident victims and their family caregivers. Using a qualitative approach and orientated by the convergent analysis, the investigation took place at an emergency hospital, in Fortaleza, Ceará, in 2004, with 14 people - seven patients with skeletal muscle trauma and seven relatives accompanying them. In the participants' standpoint, the hospitalization moment is permeated by depression, anxiety, sadness, fear, concern, unawareness, affront from the health team to the patient and family, being exacerbated by the physical traumas, economical difficulties, social and legal implications. According to the integral principle, care to traffic victims should be extended to their relatives, because the latter also suffer injuries when they come across sudden death, serious traumas and sequels in significant persons.