Performance of psychology in the pediatric reference units for COVID-19: possibilities and challenges

Abstract

The new coronavirus infection was considered a public health emergency by the World Health Organization in January 2020. Despite its high transmissibility, the pediatric population, in general, has less severe forms of the disease than adults. However, children and adolescents can also have a worsening health status and require hospitalization, causing emotional repercussions for them and their companions. The present work describes the performance of Psychology in the reference units (ICU and ward) in respiratory syndromes of a philanthropic pediatric hospital in the city of Salvador-Bahia, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting the changes that occurred in the hospital environment, as well as such as the repercussions triggered on the subjects (patients, family members and staff), reflecting the challenges and possibilities of Psychology in these scenarios. The hospital created a contingency plan to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Among the actions, the contraindication of changing a companion; the suspension of visits; restriction of the movement of patients and companions outside the treatment units. Strategies were devised to minimize the suffering of patients and families during hospitalization, and flows and materials were created in the Psychology Service to guide the professional performance of such practices, including guidelines on virtual visits, teleservice, psychoeducation, as well as support flow to death. In the reference units for COVID-19, the role of psychology was fundamental, considering the suffering caused by illness and isolation, giving space to subjectivities. Furthermore, the need for new psychological practices and interventions emerged.