Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
---|---|---|---|---|
332.12 KB | Adobe PDF |
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Objetivos – Identificar os vários recursos utilizados pelos pais de crianças com anorexia nervosa, após a identificação dos primeiros sintomas dos filhos; caracterizar os intervalos temporais entre a identificação de sintomas nos filhos, o pedido de ajuda, o acesso ao apoio e a necessidade de internamento; identificar os recursos que os pais consideram como estando em falta. Método – Recurso a um inquérito semiestruturado, anónimo, em formato digital, dirigido aos pais de crianças internadas com o diagnóstico de anorexia nervosa na Unidade de Internamento de Pedopsiquiatria de um hospital da área urbana do centro de Portugal, entre janeiro de 2018 e dezembro de 2019. Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente com recurso ao Excel. Resultados – Os técnicos de saúde foram identificados como os recursos utilizados com maior frequência para obter informação ou apoio emocional. Dentro dos apoios técnicos, o pediatra assistente e o médico de família foram os recursos considerados como mais acessíveis. Apenas 18,2% dos pais referiram que os filhos tinham um acompanhamento prolongado (há mais de seis meses) antes de serem internados. Em relação aos recursos que os pais identificaram como tendo estado em falta, 84,8% dos pais destacaram a necessidade de apoio psicológico/psiquiátrico para eles próprios. Discussão – Este trabalho evidenciou a existência de um período de tempo longo entre a identificação dos primeiros sintomas de doença e a tomada de decisão de pedir uma avaliação técnica. Conclusão – Existem ainda graves falhas na deteção precoce de crianças e adolescentes com anorexia nervosa. Nesse sentido, é necessário otimizar a deteção precoce e a referenciação por parte dos técnicos a quem estas famílias estão a recorrer em primeira linha, nomeadamente aos médicos de família.
ABSTRACT - Aim of the study – To identify different resources used by parents of children suffering from nervous anorexia, after acknowledging the first symptoms; to characterise periods of time between first symptoms acknowledgment in their children, help request, access to support, and hospitalisation; to identify resources missed by parents. Methods – Anonymous semi-structured online survey to parents of children suffering from nervous anorexia hospitalised in a Unit for Child Psychiatry at an urban hospital in the central area of Portugal, from January 2018 to December 2019. Statistical analysis of results done through an Excel spreadsheet. Results – Health professionals were identified as the most frequently used resource for information or emotional support. Among these professionals, family doctors and paediatricians were considered the most accessible resources. Only 18.2% of parents stated that their children had prolonged medical support (over six months) before being hospitalised. As to resources indicated by parents as missing, 84.8% pointed to psychological or psychiatric support for themselves. Discussion – This study has highlighted the existence of a long period of time between the acknowledgment of the first symptoms of the disease and the decision-making of requiring a technical assessment. Conclusion – There are still some serious flaws in the early diagnosis of children and adolescents suffering from nervous anorexia. Therefore, it seems crucial to maximise early diagnosis and referral by health professionals, notably family doctors, whom these families contact first-hand.
ABSTRACT - Aim of the study – To identify different resources used by parents of children suffering from nervous anorexia, after acknowledging the first symptoms; to characterise periods of time between first symptoms acknowledgment in their children, help request, access to support, and hospitalisation; to identify resources missed by parents. Methods – Anonymous semi-structured online survey to parents of children suffering from nervous anorexia hospitalised in a Unit for Child Psychiatry at an urban hospital in the central area of Portugal, from January 2018 to December 2019. Statistical analysis of results done through an Excel spreadsheet. Results – Health professionals were identified as the most frequently used resource for information or emotional support. Among these professionals, family doctors and paediatricians were considered the most accessible resources. Only 18.2% of parents stated that their children had prolonged medical support (over six months) before being hospitalised. As to resources indicated by parents as missing, 84.8% pointed to psychological or psychiatric support for themselves. Discussion – This study has highlighted the existence of a long period of time between the acknowledgment of the first symptoms of the disease and the decision-making of requiring a technical assessment. Conclusion – There are still some serious flaws in the early diagnosis of children and adolescents suffering from nervous anorexia. Therefore, it seems crucial to maximise early diagnosis and referral by health professionals, notably family doctors, whom these families contact first-hand.
Description
Keywords
Anorexia nervosa Perceção parental Recursos Equipa multidisciplinar Tempo de doença não tratada Nervous anorexia Parental perception Resources Multidisciplinary team Period of untreated disease
Citation
Oliveira I, Santos C, Pires S, Vian F. Da identificação dos primeiros sintomas ao internamento por anorexia nervosa: que recursos procuram os pais e como os percecionam? Saúde & Tecnologia. 2023;(28):36-46.
Publisher
Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa