The impact of the spirituality of intensive care pediatricians on their performance

INTRODUCTION: In view of the comprehensive care of patients in general, spirituality and religiosity are an integral part of care. Studies show that spiritual practices improve mental health, quality of life and interpersonal relationships. The same is true of pediatric intensive care physicians who deal with the suffering of children and their families on a daily basis. OBJECTIVE: Verify the religiosity / spirituality of Brazilian pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) doctors and how it influences patient care and coping with personal stress. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Cross-sectional study with a quali-quantitative approach, carried out through online questionnaire answered by pediatricians from the Intensive Care Unit who are part of the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine. RESULTS: 148 pediatric ICU doctors answered the questionnaire. 83.1% said that spirituality / religiosity greatly influences the patient's health, as well as interfering in the health-disease process, in a positive way, however, 50.7% felt partially prepared for this dialogue. CONCLUSIONS: Religion / spirituality is a way of coping with stress or suffering, facing the end of a child's illness, both by the family and the doctor. The need for spiritual accompaniment is recognized by most doctors, however, this is not done systematically in most ICUs.