Evaluating Educational Material from the Perspective of Informal Caregivers of Children with Hydrocephalus: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated whether educational material about hydrocephalus and its treatment previously developed by health professionals corresponded with the daily life of caregivers of children with hydrocephalus. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study at a university hospital in Brazil, interviewing 32 informal caregivers of children with hydrocephalus. The methodological framework of Bardin content analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The educational material adequately represented caregivers' experience regarding daily life, surgery experiences, and care needed by children with hydrocephalus. In addition, the educational material may help to identify the signs and symptoms of ventriculoperitoneal shunt. However, the material did not address the limitations of children disabled with hydrocephalus in daily life. CONCLUSIONS: From the perspective of informal caregivers of children with hydrocephalus, the educational material corresponded with families' daily life and surgical experience and may be used by health professionals to reinforce important points for the care for children with hydrocephalus, facilitating the health education process.