Professional qualification and childhood cancer in primary care

Abstract

Objective

To analyze the perception of professionals working in Primary Care about their professional training related to childhood cancer.

Methods

This is an exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, developed with professionals in Primary Care in the city of Campinas-SP. The study was conducted through focus groups, guided by semi-structured questions. Thematic modality of Content Analysis was adopted.

Results

Two categories were identified: “Experiences and professional training in the face of childhood cancer in Primary Care”, resulting in little contact with the theme, both through experiences and through professional training; and “Comprehensiveness of care for children and adolescents with cancer in Primary Care and professional qualification”, with little or no preparation being unveiled to ensure comprehensive care, with issues different from the biological aspects of the disease.

Conclusion

From professionals’ perceptions, there was little contact and insufficient preparation to list assertive actions related to childhood cancer in Primary Care, pointing out the need for future changes in the inclusion of the theme in this level of care and improvements in the quality of continuing education in the services.

Professional training; Primary health care; Neoplasms; Child health; Adolescent health