CARING FOR THE CAREGIVERS: THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING CAREGIVERS DURING PEDIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION

Abstract

A child's hospitalization can have emotional, psychological, physical, financial, and social impacts on caregivers, affecting their routines, well-being, and family dynamics. In this context, providing a welcoming environment and attending to caregivers' needs are essential for promoting comprehensive, humanized care for the child. This study aimed to understand and discuss, based on the literature, the importance of providing a welcoming environment for the caregivers of hospitalized children and the resulting effects on family well-being. It is a narrative literature review with a qualitative approach, conducted using the SciELO, PubMed, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, covering articles published in Portuguese or English between 2016 and 2026. Twenty-one articles were analyzed. The results showed that hospitalization can cause stress, distress, feelings of powerlessness, caregiver burden, and psychological suffering. Conversely, humanization practices, clear communication, participation in care, and multidisciplinary interventions can foster a welcoming environment, strengthen autonomy, and boost the confidence of those providing care. A predominance of international studies and a scarcity of Brazilian research on support strategies were observed. The study concludes that humanized care must include caregivers as active participants in the child's recovery process.