Living with intestinal stoma: the construction of autonomy for care.

OBJECTIVE to investigate the care undertaken in the health services for people with intestinal stoma, from the perspective of articulating the actions proposed in the Amplified and Shared Clinic, with a view to promoting autonomy. METHOD qualitative study. PARTICIPANTS 10 people who received a stoma, and their family members. Data was collected between 10th January and 30th June 2011, through two semi-structured interviews. Analysis was through the stages: anxiety, synthesis, theorization and recontextualization. RESULTS presented in the categories: (1) the need to carry out stoma care; (2) receiving health support and care after discharge from hospital; (3) returning to daily activities and social reinsertion. CONCLUSION the study identified common factors which influence the process of development of autonomy and the relationship which health professionals have with this achievement.