ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of this review was to identify and summarize how the moral experiences of children with medical complexity are being expressed within the Brazilian health-related literature and discuss research gaps and directions for future research. Methods: A scoping review was performed using the methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Systematic searches were conducted on Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase databases. Articles were included if using qualitative methodologies, having children as participants, and published in Brazil. Results: In total, 6,360 articles were retrieved from databases. Sixteen studies were selected for the analysis. Final considerations: The studies were not primarily focused on children’s moral experiences. Yet, the studies demonstrate morally relevant accounts concerning children’s capacity to reason and interpret their lived experiences, expressing deep concerns about isolation, suffering, future aspirations, and feelings of normality.

ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of this review was to identify and summarize how the moral experiences of children with medical complexity are being expressed within the Brazilian health-related literature and discuss research gaps and directions for future research. Methods: A scoping review was performed using the methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Systematic searches were conducted on Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase databases. Articles were included if using qualitative methodologies, having children as participants, and published in Brazil. Results: In total, 6,360 articles were retrieved from databases. Sixteen studies were selected for the analysis. Final considerations: The studies were not primarily focused on children’s moral experiences. Yet, the studies demonstrate morally relevant accounts concerning children’s capacity to reason and interpret their lived experiences, expressing deep concerns about isolation, suffering, future aspirations, and feelings of normality.

ABSTRACT Objective: To know how children with special health needs access the health care network. Method: This is a qualitative research of descriptive-exploratory type, developed using semi-structured interviews mediated by the Talking Map design. Participants were 19 family caregivers of these children in two Brazilian municipalities. Data were submitted to inductive thematic analysis. Results: Difficulties were mentioned from the diagnosis moment to the specialized follow-up, something represented by the itinerary of the c hild and his/her family in the search for the definition of the medical diagnosis and the access to a specialized professional; a gap between the children’s needs and the care offered was observed in primary health care. Conclusion: The access of children with special health needs is filled with obstacles such as slowness in the process of defining the child’s diagnosis and referral to a specialist. Primary health care services were replaced by care in emergency care units.

ABSTRACT Objective: To know how children with special health needs access the health care network. Method: This is a qualitative research of descriptive-exploratory type, developed using semi-structured interviews mediated by the Talking Map design. Participants were 19 family caregivers of these children in two Brazilian municipalities. Data were submitted to inductive thematic analysis. Results: Difficulties were mentioned from the diagnosis moment to the specialized follow-up, something represented by the itinerary of the c hild and his/her family in the search for the definition of the medical diagnosis and the access to a specialized professional; a gap between the children’s needs and the care offered was observed in primary health care. Conclusion: The access of children with special health needs is filled with obstacles such as slowness in the process of defining the child’s diagnosis and referral to a specialist. Primary health care services were replaced by care in emergency care units.