A comparative study of renal care in Brazil and Mexico: hemodialysis treatment from the perspective of ESRD sufferers.

Renal replacement therapy is the indicated treatment for individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to survive. However, not all sick people have access to the same treatment. This study compares renal care in two developing countries with different health systems. Specifically, it explores hemodialysis treatment from the perspective of low-income individuals. A qualitative, comparative study was performed in Brazil and Mexico. Using purposive sampling, the research was based on open-ended interviews with nineteen participants with kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis treatment in public hospitals and ten relatives. According to our results, Brazilian participants perceived hemodialysis care as satisfactory because of health personnel courtesy as well as free access to dialysis treatment, prescription drugs, hospitalization and transportation. However, they reported deficiencies in the care they were receiving due to shortages of specialists, prescription drugs, laboratory tests and transportation. Mexican participants, in contrast, highlighted the catastrophic costs of medical care because they had no free access to renal therapy, nor adequate financial resources. Our findings suggest that low-income Brazilian CKD sufferers experience renal care differently, as they are more satisfied and face less obstacles with hemodialysis compared with those of Mexico. More studies on the topic are needed.

[The challenges coped by the novice in nursing practice]. / Os desafios enfrentados pelos iniciantes na prática de enfermagem.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges faced by the nurses during the first years of their nursing work. A total of 31 novice nurses were included in the sample that answered a questionnaire with open and closed questions. The data analysis was conducted by using the qualitative software called Atlas Ti. The novice nurses deal with some challenges related to: a) leadership team; b) the competence and technique ability. The findings suggested that the nursing novice is not well prepared for assuming a leadership role as well as for caring in the settings of high-complexity. In order to cope those challenges new strategies of education and nursing practice has to be developed together with nurses educators and nurses practitioners.

[People with diabetes mellitus: their care and treatment choices]. / Pessoas com Diabetes Mellitus: suas escolhas de cuidados e tratamentos.

Study based on qualitative research, from an interpretative perspective. Its objective was to understand the therapeutic itinerary of people with Diabetes Mellitus who search for different care and treatments within the different subsystems of health care. The data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus groups. As a result of the data analysis therapeutic modalities were identified, the evaluation of the care process and health treatment and the therapeutic journey in the three subsystems. The person with Diabetes Mellitus needs to reevaluate their process of living. Thus, the person circulates through various therapeutic modalities until they perceive that (or those) which are most convenient for them. This also applies to how said care or treatment becomes integrated into their day-to-day.

[Narratives as a research technique in nursing]. / Narrativas como técnica de pesquisa em enfermagem.

The text introduces the narrations as a possibility of approach in nursing research, specially as a technique of data collection and analysis, emphasizing its theoretical and practical aspects. A review of the narrative concept is included, through the understanding of authors from different knowledge areas: philosophy, anthropology, linguistics and nursing. With respect to the practical aspect of its application to research, three different types of narrative are introduced, identified based on the accounts rendered by individuals: short narrations, narrations of lived experiences, and popular narrations. The study also includes ways to present the narratives in scientific texts and their process of interpretation. Authors highlight that the narrations create a field of collective action, allowing health professionals to build up knowledge based on the individuals' experience.

Socialização como processo dinâmico de aprendizagem na enfermagem: uma proposta na metodologia ativa / La socialización como proceso dinámico de aprendizaje en enfermería: una propuesta en la metodología activa / Socializing as a dynamic learning process in nursing: a proposal in active methodology

Objetivo. Compreender o significado da atividade de socialização e como esta contribui na aprendizagem dos acadêmicos de enfermagem. Metodologia. Investigação qualitativa com a participação de 10 estudantes da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (Brasil), em 2006. AOS dados se lhes fez de análises de conteúdo. Resultados. Neste estudo surgiram estas categorias de análises: momentos de aprendizagem, momentos de integração, a reafirmação dos valores e fortalecimento do vínculo entre a teoria e a prática. A socialização é uma atividade importante para os estudantes, pois lhes permite compartilhar os conhecimentos e experiências de outros, o qual ajuda ao crescimento pessoal e profissional, passando a ser os erros ou os acertos um meio para a aprendizagem. Conclusão. Para os estudantes a atividade de socialização permite a integração, interação e inter-subjetividade no processo de formação crítica e comprometida com a realidade.

Objetivo. Comprender el significado de la actividad de socialización y cómo esta contribuye en el aprendizaje de los académicos de enfermería. Metodología. Investigación cualitativa con la participación de 10 estudiantes de la Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (Brasil), en 2006. A los datos se les hizo el análisis de contenido. Resultados. En este estudio surgieron estas categorías de análisis: momentos de aprendizaje, momentos de integración, la reafirmación de los valores y fortalecimiento del vínculo entre la teoría y la práctica. La socialización es una actividad importante para los estudiantes, pues les permite compartir los conocimientos y experiencias de otros, lo cual ayuda al crecimiento personal y profesional, pasando a ser los errores o los aciertos un medio para el aprendizaje. Conclusión. Para los estudiantes la actividad de socialización permite la integración, interacción e intersubjetividad en el proceso de formación crítica y comprometida con la realidad.

Objective. To understand the meaning of socializing activities and how they contribute to the learning process of nursing students. Methodology. Qualitative study, in which 10 students from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil) participated during the year of 2006. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results. The following analysis categories emerged from the study: Learning moments, integration moments, value reassurance and strengthening of theory and practice links. Socializing is an important activity for the students because it allows them to share their knowledge, experiences, and others, which contribute to professional and personal growth being mistakes and accuracies a good way of learning. Conclusion. For the students, socializing activities allow integration, interaction, and intersubjectivity in the critic training process committed to reality.