[Perception in the management and exposure of methotrexate in primary care nursing staff]

To know the perception of nurses about the management and exposure of methotrexate in primary care nursing staff of the Orihuela Health Department.

This is a descriptive qualitative study carried out through semi-structured interviews with a sample of 15 intentionally selected nurses.

The participants expressed concern about the handling and exposure of methotrexate, which allowed them to perceive training as the greatest concern in the study unit. A main category called "knowing" was established, which encompasses all the reflections about the nurse's performance during the process of handling and exposure of cytostatics. From this main category, the following subcategories are developed: lack of knowledge, demand for training, personal protective equipment, cytostatic residues, exposure and ventilation.

Our study shows that it is necessary to accredit and reaccredit the professional skills of nurses to carry out the management of methotrexate correctly, facilitating the use of instruments to standardize variability and seeking strategies to update knowledge and skills.