Picture interpretation for disease and nurse perception in children diagnosed with epilepsy

Epilepsy has physiological, psychological, social and emotional effects on children due to its unexpected and sudden nature. Considering the emotional and social effects of epilepsy on children, it is thought that the act of drawing will help to convey the effects of epilepsy on children and their emotions. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the perceptions of children diagnosed with epilepsy about epilepsy and nurses based on drawings. The sample of the study, which was conducted using visual phenomenology method, consisted of 20 children diagnosed with epilepsy between the ages of 7-12. Data were collected between 15.01.2023-15.07.2023. Combined criteria for qualitative research reporting (COREQ) checklist was used. The data were obtained by evaluating the "Introductory Information Form", "Semi-structured Child Interview Form" and the pictures drawn by the children with the instructions "Draw Me a Nurse, Draw Me Your Disease" in terms of form, color and composition. The codes were analyzed and the perception of illness was grouped under three themes (chaos in the life of the child diagnosed with epilepsy, needs of the child diagnosed with epilepsy, development in the child diagnosed with epilepsy) and ten sub-themes (emotional state, past and future thoughts, hospital cycle, physical effects, need and desire, seeking and dependency, communication, hope for recovery and future, personality, drawing ability). Perception of illness was grouped under two themes (positive nurse in the life of a child with epilepsy, negative nurse in the life of a child with epilepsy) and nine sub-themes (caregiver, competence, emotional support and empathy, communication and relationship building, role model, professional confidence and competence, negative experience/ negative emotional perceptions, communication barriers, illness management style). As a result, it was found that children mostly experienced lack of self-confidence, low selfperception, feelings of worthlessness, loneliness and communication problems. Keywords: Child, epilepsy, nurse, drawing, drawing analysis.