O adolescente hospitalizado numa Unidade de Adolescentes: como facilitar a transição?

The hospitalized adolescent in a Teen Ward: how to ease the transition?

Abstract

Objective: To identify the feelings and needs of adolescents during hospitalization and learn their representations of a
Teen Ward. Methods: Qualitative survey of 21 adolescents conducted through semi-structured interviews, used as the
data collection technique. Results: 47.8% of these adolescents felt well being hospitalized, 26.9% found it hard to fill their
time, 23.1% mentioned initial sadness and anguish, and 7.7% said that they felt trapped in the Ward. They stressed nega
tive reactions among friends. The most positive aspects of the Ward are the healthcare team and the space and comfort.
Situational transitions and the health-disease shift are mentioned as negative aspects and the most complicated situation
during hospitalization, more specifically constraints on visitors, which are listed as the main requirement. These adolescents
turned to recreational activities, significant people, the nursing staff and self-control in order to get through the bad times.
Relationships between adolescents and healthcare practitioners are good, with these practitioners referred to as being qua
lified and sensitive. Conclusion: Providing good quality care for hospitalized adolescents requires a setting that meets their
needs. As nurses spend the most time with hospitalized adolescents, they can identify their fears, insecurities and difficulties
most accurately, which is why they must be receptive and sensitive to the implicit and explicit needs of these adolescents.