SPIRITUALITY IN PALLIATIVE CARE IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594202415023

• Palavras-chave: Spirituality, Pediatrics, Palliative Care.

• Keywords: Spirituality, Pediatrics, Palliative Care.

• Abstract:

  Introduction: According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O.), palliative care constitutes interventions that focus on patients whose illnesses do not respond to treatment, with the main focus being to improve the quality of life of these individuals and their families, through pain relief, as well as of biopsychosocial and spiritual problems associated with illness. Confirmation of a poor prognosis in a pediatric patient leads to the discontinuation of family planning, a factor that encourages the search for mechanisms that help obtain the best outcome for the sick child's life. In this sense, the role of spirituality in palliative care appears urgent for these patients, in which their family members seek spirituality as a symbol of strength in facing the disease, with the aim of embracing and minimizing the suffering faced. Thus, during treatment, it is possible to observe the appreciation of life and union, with, in most cases, religiosity and faith present as protective factors. Objective: To understand in an integrative way the role of spirituality in palliative care for pediatric patients, as well as its influence on the care of these patients based on the studies carried out. 

  Methods: Systematic literature review, with data collection from 2013-2023, in the databases: LILACS, SciELO and PubMed, using the descriptors “spirituality”, “palliative care” and “pediatrics”. Results: A total of 05 articles were selected for analysis and through it, it was possible to construct two thematic approaches: spirituality in care and spirituality in palliative care for pediatric patients. In view of the studies listed, it is clear that there is a consensus that testifies to the importance of spirituality in palliative care. Conclusion: The study found the relevance of spiritual influence in palliative care for pediatric patients in helping to cope with the illness, as well as the essential need to disseminate knowledge on this topic, and implement a model that makes the implementation of interventions based on spiritual practices systematic, since that religiosity welcomes and minimizes the suffering of the patient and the family, which helps the importance of carrying out new studies on the topic.