Kangaroo care method: benefits and challenges experienced by health professionals

Aim: to know the benefits and challenges experienced by health professionals in relation to the kangaroo care method. Method: exploratory, descriptive and of a qualitative nature study that used the Social Representation Theory, and the Collective Subject's Speech as an analytical method. It was carried out with 22 health professionals from a Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit through semi-structured interviews held during the period of November and December 2012. Results: eight speeches of the collective subject emerged, four signaled the benefits of the method to the newborn and to the family, while the others showed the challenges encountered from the experience of the method. Conclusion: adjustments in the physical structure, improvement of human resources and commitment of the managers are key aspects for the consolidation of the method. This study may contribute to health professional insights, including the nursing order to improve their care practices