Cuidar de crianças e adolescentes vítimas de violência sexual: O trabalho e a saúde na perspectiva dos profissionais de hospital de ensino

Abstract

Introduction: Health professionals, when dealing with the pain and suffering of users, are constantly exposed to intense psychological demands that can interfere with work performance and cause damage to mental health. A multidisciplinary team that deals with cases of violence, including children and adolescents victims of sexual violence (SV), is subject to this type of demand, since they share the victim's suffering and feelings of anguish, sadness, indignation and impotence. Objective: To characterize the care provided to children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence in a teaching hospital and to understand possible relationships with workers' health. Methodology: Descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, developed using the interview technique with a semi-structured script. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a digital platform was used in the construction of data. The participants were eight workers from a federal teaching hospital in the state of Minas Gerais. Content analysis in the thematic modality guided data processing. Results: The professionals know the service flow and report cases safely. They consider it necessary to expand communication with the external protection network and follow-up of cases. There is an overload of work due to an insufficient number of professionals, mainly psychologists, and the physical environment is inadequate for carrying out the work and for welcoming the victims and their families. The study revealed that providing care to children and adolescents who are victims of SV can generate anguish and exhaustion in workers, which requires care for their mental health. There are no initiatives aimed at the permanent education of professionals and actions for the promotion of workers' health. The multidisciplinary team proved to be integrated and mutually supportive to alleviate the damage caused by the work. Final Considerations: Professionals realize that the work of assisting victims of SV can harm mental health. It is suggested that studies be carried out related to the care of children and adolescents who are victims of SV in protection networks outside the teaching hospital, in order to increase knowledge about networking. It is hoped that this study will lead to the construction of institutional actions that promote workers' health and strengthen care for victims of violence.