Maria Isabel Dias da Costa Malheiro

@esel.pt

Coordinator Professor, Nursing Child and Youth Department, School of Nursing, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
School of Nursing, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Maria Isabel Dias da Costa Malheiro


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https://researchid.co/mmalheiro
Maria Isabel Malheiro, PhD, MSc, is Professor Coordinator of the Department of Child and Youth Nursing at the School of Nursing, University of Lisbon. She was the coordinator of the same department from 2018 to 2024. She is part of the pedagogical team for the master’s degree in Child and Pediatric Health Nursing. She is a Specialist Nurse in Child and Pediatric Health Nursing, certified by the Portuguese Nursing Order (member no. 5-E-04260). She is an expert in pediatric nursing, children and adolescents with special health needs, congenital malformations, developmental disorders, neonatology, and early intervention, with a focus on promoting child development. She is also an expert in research at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd levels of higher education. She has extensive experience supervising Master's and Doctoral students in Nursing, both nationally at the University of Lisbon and internationally.
She has a long curriculum in teaching and research, with scientific production in national a

EDUCATION

Doctoral Program in Nursing 2011 to 2015 University of Lisbon (PhD)
Universidade de Lisboa
2005 (Concluído)
6º Special Education Master program 1995 to 1997 Human Motricity Faculty, University of Lisbon (Master degree).
1st Course of Specialized Higher Studies in Child and Pediatric Health Nursing 1985 to 1987 School of Nursing, University of Lisbon (Nursing Graduation)
Nursing (Bachelor)

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Advanced and Specialized Nursing, Pediatrics, Research and Theory

FUTURE PROJECTS

Care to Promote Children’s (0-3) Development

The increase in the number of children with developmental disorders worldwide is a significant challenge for public health, with major implications for individual and social well-being. This project aims to enhance the quality of child development monitoring during the first three years of life, a phase characterized by high neuroplasticity, during which early detection of developmental deviations can minimize long-term sequelae, maximize developmental potential, and ensure appropriate interventions. Focusing on parental involvement and support in monitoring child development and on training nurses, this project is divided into three complementary parts. CARE2GROW.parents - Intervention to Promote Parental Involvement in Monitoring Child Development from 0 to 3 CARE2GROW.edu - Program Promoting Nurses' Skills in Monitoring Child Development from 0 to 3. CARE2GROW 1.0 - Digital technology for parental support in monitoring child development from 0 to 3.


Applications Invited
National and international partners
8

Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications

  • Experience with a Self-Management Education Program for Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Qualitative Study
    Marília Costa Flora, Luísa Barros, Maria Isabel Dias da Costa Malheiro
    Nursing Reports, 2025
    Background/Objectives: Adolescents with type 1 diabetes face complex challenges associated with the disease, underscoring the importance of developing self-management skills. This study examined participants’ perspectives on a type 1 diabetes self-management education program. Methods: Focus group interviews were conducted with 32 adolescents with type 1 diabetes who participated in the program and six expert patients. Both thematic analysis and content analysis were conducted using NVIVO software, version 1.6.1. Results: Two dimensions emerged: expert patient roles and program evaluation. Expert patient roles were viewed positively, with an emphasis on responsibility, sharing experiences, and being a role model. Program evaluation emphasized peer-to-peer sharing and educational sessions, with increased knowledge of the disease and management strategies. Expert patients also benefited from the program by developing a sense of responsibility, serving as role models for adolescents, and improving their disease self-management. Conclusions: The adolescents emphasized that the program was a learning tool and the expert patient’s view of their role emerges, highlighting modelling as a facilitator of learning and of the responsibility and commitment of the mentors. This study reinforces the benefits of peer-to-peer interaction in a camp setting, including rich experiences.
  • Facilitating and inhibiting conditions in the hospital to home transition of children undergoing treatment for hematologic cancer
    Thais Maia Teixeira Vieira, Liliane Faria da Silva, Fernanda Garcia Bezerra Góes, Michelle Darezzo Rodrigues Nunes, Maria Isabel Dias da Costa Malheiro, et al.
    Revista Enfermagem, 2024
    Objetivo: analisar as condições facilitadoras e inibidoras na transição hospital-casa de crianças em tratamento do câncer hematológico. Método: estudo descritivo, qualitativo, desenvolvido com 20 familiares de crianças em tratamento de câncer hematológico, em um hospital pediátrico, no período de julho a outubro de 2023, sendo aprovado por comitê de ética em pesquisa das instituições proponentes e coparticipantes. Os dados foram processados pelo software IRAMUTEQ® e interpretados à luz da Teoria das Transições de Afaf Meleis. Resultados: as condições facilitadoras foram: fé, religiosidade, apoio e ajuda de familiares no cuidar e apoio escolar. O status socioeconômico, preconceito, isolamento social, sentimentos de medo e paralisação foram condições inibidoras da transição. Considerações finais: a transição hospital-casa de crianças com câncer é um período permeado por medo e incertezas, influenciado por condições facilitadoras e inibidoras.
  • Self-management of diabetes in adolescence: experience of Portuguese young adults and their parents
    Maria Isabel Dias da Costa Malheiro, Maria da Graça Vinagre, Sónia Isabel Colaço, Marília Costa Flora, Maria José Góis Paixão, et al.
    Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 2024
    Objective To identify the factors that facilitate or hinder the construction of autonomy in adolescence through the experience of young adults with type-1 diabetes and their parents. Methods This was a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study. Two focus group interviews were conducted: one with nine young adults who were experts in managing their illness and the other with seven parents. Thematic and categorical content analysis was used for data analysis, with particularities of a focus group interview and the use of the NVIVO 12 software. Results Two major categories and ten subcategories related to factors that facilitated (support systems, knowledge, diet, insulin pump, early responsibility for managing therapy, and characteristics of young people) and hindered (therapeutic regimen, stigma, attitude of health professionals, characteristics of young people, and knowledge) the development of autonomy in disease management emerged. Conclusion Autonomy in the management of diabetes involves several challenges for adolescents, which requires adaptation of attitudes and interventions by professionals. In addition to the traditional management of the health condition, addressing issues related to the socialization of adolescents is essential, looking for innovative strategies that promote coping and quality of life. The results of this study make it possible to reflect on the therapeutic relationship with adolescents, emphasizing the importance of individualizing care and innovative responses to their specific needs.
  • Self-management of diabetes in adolescence: experience of Portuguese young adults and their parents
    Maria Isabel Dias da Costa Malheiro, Maria da Graça Vinagre, Sónia Isabel Colaço, Marília Costa Flora, Maria José Góis Paixão, et al.
    Acta Paulista De Enfermagem, 2024
    Objective To identify the factors that facilitate or hinder the construction of autonomy in adolescence through the experience of young adults with type-1 diabetes and their parents. Methods This was a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study. Two focus group interviews were conducted: one with nine young adults who were experts in managing their illness and the other with seven parents. Thematic and categorical content analysis was used for data analysis, with particularities of a focus group interview and the use of the NVIVO 12 software. Results Two major categories and ten subcategories related to factors that facilitated (support systems, knowledge, diet, insulin pump, early responsibility for managing therapy, and characteristics of young people) and hindered (therapeutic regimen, stigma, attitude of health professionals, characteristics of young people, and knowledge) the development of autonomy in disease management emerged. Conclusion Autonomy in the management of diabetes involves several challenges for adolescents, which requires adaptation of attitudes and interventions by professionals. In addition to the traditional management of the health condition, addressing issues related to the socialization of adolescents is essential, looking for innovative strategies that promote coping and quality of life. The results of this study make it possible to reflect on the therapeutic relationship with adolescents, emphasizing the importance of individualizing care and innovative responses to their specific needs.
  • Interventions to facilitate the transition of children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus into the community: a scoping review
    Vânia Pinto, Isabel Malheiro
    Revista Cientifica Pensar Enfermagem, 2022
  • Educational program for self-management on adolescents with spina Bifida: What do youths and their caregivers have to say?
    Maria Isabel Dias da Costa Malheiro, Maria Filomena Gaspar, Luísa Barros
    Cogitare Enfermagem, 2019
    Objetivo: avaliar um programa e os seus efeitos nas competências de autogestão, na perspetiva dos jovens e de seus pais/cuidadores.Método: entrevistas em grupo focal, com os 51 jovens com Spina Bifida (10-18 anos) que realizaram o programa e 30 pais/cuidadores.Resultados: revelam melhoria no comportamento de autogestão dos jovens, mais responsáveis, proactivos, confiantes, competentes na resolução de problemas, e autónomos. Quanto ao programa, destacam as estratégias psicoeducativas utilizadas, como a técnica de resolução de problemas, o roleplaying, os vídeos, o regime de tutoria entre pares e a modelagem (Lay led’s).Conclusão: o programa obteve resultados positivos na capacitação dos jovens para a autonomia. As mudanças verificadas no jovem ao assumir o papel de tutor permitem destacar a eficácia desta estratégia e o seu potencial na criança com condição crónica.
  • Training CAMP: Effects of an educational program for self-management, on adolescents with spina bifida
    Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 2017
  • The development of autonomy in young patients with spina bifida - what the youngsters and their parents/careers say
    Enfermeria Global, 2013