Introduction
At TinyEYE, we are committed to improving the lives of children through data-driven, effective online therapy services. One of the most impactful approaches in healthcare today is Family-Centered Care (FCC). According to the research article "Towards a universal model of family centered care: a scoping review," FCC can significantly enhance the well-being of both patients and their families. This blog will explore how practitioners can implement the outcomes of this research to improve their skills and encourage further exploration in this field.
Understanding Family-Centered Care
Family-Centered Care is an approach that involves mutually beneficial partnerships between healthcare providers, patients, and their families. The goal is to develop and implement patient care plans within the context of families. The key components of FCC include:
- Collaboration between family members and healthcare providers
- Consideration of family contexts
- Policies and procedures
- Education for patients, families, and healthcare professionals
Key Components of Family-Centered Care
The scoping review identified several core aspects of FCC models that can be applied universally across different populations and care contexts. These include:
Collaboration
Effective FCC models emphasize collaboration between healthcare providers, patients, and families. This collaboration should be ongoing and adapt to the changing needs of the patient and family. Trusting and caring relationships are crucial, and families should have a say in care plan development and implementation.
Communication
Open, timely, and complete communication is essential for FCC. Healthcare providers should use various strategies to communicate effectively, including interdisciplinary care reports, community follow-ups, and resource notebooks. Disease-specific information should be shared to help families make informed decisions.
Education
Education is a cornerstone of FCC. Both patients and families should receive ongoing education about the illness and care provision. This education should be clear, jargon-free, and tailored to the family's needs. Peer support and learning from other families can also be beneficial.
Family Support Needs
Recognizing and addressing the support needs of family members is crucial. This includes emotional support, education, and training on care delivery. Healthcare providers should consider the family's strengths, cultural values, and specific needs when developing care plans.
Policies and Procedures
Dedicated policies and procedures are essential for implementing FCC. These should be transparent and consider both macro (e.g., government policies) and micro (e.g., community services) levels. Policies should support the family's role in care and consider the physical environment of care settings.
Encouraging Further Research
While the scoping review provides a comprehensive overview of FCC models, it also highlights areas needing further research. Specifically, there is a need to evaluate the impact of FCC models on patient, family, and health system outcomes. Future research should also explore how FCC can be implemented in real-world settings and across different illness trajectories.
Conclusion
Implementing Family-Centered Care can significantly improve outcomes for children and their families. By focusing on collaboration, communication, education, and support, practitioners can create more effective and holistic care plans. We encourage all healthcare providers to explore FCC models and consider how they can be integrated into their practice.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Towards a universal model of family centered care: a scoping review.
