[Anthropology, ethnography, and narrative: intersecting paths in understanding the processes of health and sickness]

Theoretical, methodological and analytical aspects of ethnographic research in obstetric nursing: an integrative review

OBJECTIVE

To characterize ethnographic research in the area of obstetric nursing regarding its theoretical, methodological and analytical aspects.

METHOD

An integrative review performed in the MEDLINE®, LILACS, BDENF and CINAHL databases, as well as the SciELO virtual library.

RESULTS

Thirty (30) articles formed the analytical corpus after screening and reading the primary references in full. The most used methods were ethno-nursing, ethnography and institutional ethnography; the immersion time in the field ranged from 12 visits to 48 months occurring in institutional contexts. The main data collection techniques were observation, individual interviews and training guides for ethno-nursing. The data were organized as themes and subthemes, analyzed through the ethno-nursing analysis guide, implementing the Theory of Diversity and Universality of Cultural Care as theoretical reference.

CONCLUSION

Ethnographic studies in the area of obstetric nursing are within the scope of microethnographies and are operationalized based on theoretical-methodological nursing references, being useful to analyze the complexity of phenomena involving obstetric nursing care, and focusing on the etic (professional) and emic (women) perspectives.

Experience of radiotherapy in head and neck

Abstract Objective: The aim of this manuscript was to understand and describe the experience of radiotherapy on the perspective of a woman with oral cancer. Methods: This is a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study, with theoretical reference of medical anthropology and instrumental case study methodology. Data collection was performed in the oncology sector of a public university hospital in the Southeast region of Brazil, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil and at the participant’s residence, during from March to August, 2016. The case selected was of a female patient, diagnosed with Spinocellular Carcinoma in oral cavity, submitted to radiotherapy. Five semi-structured interviews and participant observation were performed and audio-taped. Results: Three thematic units are presented: the radiotherapy trajectory, family support and refuge in God and the importance of the multiprofessional team. The adverse reactions such as odynophagia, dysgeugia and weight loss were the ones that stood out the most, being causes of the social isolation of the participant, nonetheless the patient showed optimism and hope, despite the social isolation. Conclusion: The qualitative methodology allowed the whole trajectory of radiotherapy follow-up which made it possible to understand the treatment experience from the perspective of the participant. Despite the adverse reactions, no negative experience with radiotherapy was found. New studies using the qualitative methodology are suggested with groups presenting similar characteristics of the participant, thus providing a better understanding of the topic addressed, as well as the identification and adoption of strategies that aim at improving care and the quality of life of this population, as well.