[Perceptions of nursing team as to the father as a caretaker in pediatric wards]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nursing
• Family-Centered Care
• Sociology of Health

Context:

• Increasing paternal involvement in childcare globally.
• Limited space in pediatric units often restricts parental presence.
• University hospital setting in Brazil.

Purpose:

• To explore nursing staff perceptions of fathers as caregivers in pediatric units.
• To understand barriers and facilitators to paternal presence in pediatric care.
• To inform strategies for enhancing participatory fatherhood in hospitals.

Summary:

• Nursing staff acknowledge the importance of fathers but perceive mothers as primary caregivers.
• Space limitations and traditional views hinder the presence of fathers as active caregivers.
• The study identified a need for nursing teams to facilitate fathers' engagement in pediatric care.

Impact:

• Findings can inform hospital policies to better accommodate fathers in pediatric units.
• Highlights the need for training nursing staff on supporting participatory fatherhood.
• Contributes to a better understanding of gender roles in childcare within healthcare settings.