PURPOSE: To investigate the perception of physicians about the experience of ambulatory with children who have a serious eye disease and how they understand their interference in the mother-child relationship. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were performed with ophthalmologists (sectors of retina, glaucoma, anterior segment and pediatric ophthalmology), and observation of outpatient appointments of a public hospital during three months. RESULTS: Idealization of the physician's and mother's role; physician's difficulties on giving the diagnosis; and the acknowledgment that the professionals have an influence on mother-child relationship during the assistance. CONCLUSION: The challenge for physicians are giving information on diagnosis and treatment; being accessible to listening, clarifying and guiding showing that the child has others capabilities beyond vision.
Physician-patient relationships; Mother-child relationship; Communication; Eye diseases; Deficiency