Perioperative care and self-care strategies: perceptions of general surgery resident doctors

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the meaning of perioperative care for a general surgery residents’ team in a public hospital of Paraná, as well as determine the self-care strategies used. This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, which used interview as a source for data collection, aiming to analyze the speeches of ten resident physicians of a general surgery team. After considering the data, five categories were identified: 1. Care performed with the general surgery patient; 2. Care providers; 3.The meaning of medical care; 4. Self-care strategies; 5.Patient care learning. The study suggested that according to the interviewees, patient care involves feelings and relies as much on the good interaction between members of the multidisciplinary team, as on the actions carried out on behalf of the patient. In addition, it became clear that caregivers also need to be taken care of. Thus, other health professionals, friends and family members were considered of great importance as they provide support, understanding and encouragement to the patient.