The clinical method in the care of children with recurrent pneumonias: theoretical-practical contradictions

Abstract

Introduction: Recurrent pulmonary manifestations in children are defined by the phrase recurrent pneumonias. The application of the clinical method in the care of patients with these conditions must be aimed at fulfilling its guiding objective, defined by the identification and control of the underlying cause that motivates the recurrence of pulmonary manifestations. However, that goal is not always adequately met.

Objective: Describe a group of contradictions in the body of knowledge of recurrent pneumonias in children and their influence on the execution of the clinical method during the process of medical care for these patients.

Method: Based on the literature review, in a first stage an etymological and terminological analysis of the phrase "recurrent pneumonias" was carried out, as well as its conceptual and operational definitions. In a second stage, based on the insufficiencies detected, a critical assessment was made of how these can influence the way in which professionals apply the clinical method in medical care to children with these conditions.

Analysis and integration of information: Theoretical-practical contradictions were identified in the conceptual and operational definitions of recurrent pneumonias in children, which may constitute the basis of the errors that occur systematically during the collection of information and the formulation of hypotheses in the process of medical care in these patients.

Final considerations: The use of the clinical method in the care of children with recurrent pneumonia may present insufficiencies conditioned by theoretical-practical contradictions.