The phrase “family-centered care” is frequently used to refer to the ideal level of medical treatment that families get. When describing the process of providing care, the term is usually used in conjunction with words like “partnership,” “collaboration,” and “families as experts.” The development of inpatient care shows that the shift to a fully family-centered treatment system can start with modest adjustments. System-level reforms must be made to enable providers and families to collaborate on information-sharing and decision-making and establish the kind of partnership that results in better outcomes. All clinical care delivery and practice guidelines should acknowledge and actively implement the FCC principles. Recognized FCC care procedures should be used where evidence is available. Families and healthcare professionals should take the initiative and promote care delivery redesign that considers family needs where there is no evidence, especially in the ambulatory setting. Examples include family participation in policy-making and facility development, open scheduling, trained language interpretation services, and collaborative decision-making.
The most excellent way to understand FCC principles is through constant exposure and application. Respectful communication, collaborative care planning, and professional judgments that consider the context of the family and community are all required. According to Kiwanuka et al., other difficulties include conflict between the professional obligations to communicate expected patient functional outcomes and their lack of confidence in their capacity to do so (2019, p. 3). Other factors had too optimistic recovery expectations among surrogates, a lack of confidence when applying research findings to specific patients, and unrealistic expectations regarding operational capabilities. Seyedfatemi et al. identified five obstacles to family-centered care implementation: a lack of healthcare resources; patient dependence on healthcare professionals; time limits for providing care; the nature of chronic diseases, and medical paternalism (2020, p. 2). The system would be affected more swiftly as this generation enters practice and positions of leadership as they understand the FCC principles, acquire the necessary skills and ethics, and enjoy its advantages.
Implementing and evaluating specific FCC practices, such as family participation in bedside rounds or procedures, should be part of quality improvement initiatives. Such policies ought to be connected to observable, controlled results. Tools for measurement and assessment of FCC should be created and tested. The instruments must adhere to strict requirements for good health outcomes rather than just parental pleasure. Family involvement, provider name identification by families, and eliminating unmet needs are examples of appropriate process measures. Expectations for long-term health care savings, benefits to society, enhancements in health and quality of life, and patient happiness should all be investigated in the research. These options may be acceptable in place of immediate cost neutrality or savings.
Before any healthcare project or procedure is given the FCC designation. Institutions should be familiar with the FCC principles and include families in high-level planning and design. FCC is a continuum of provider activity and partnership. The time required to engage in FCC should be considered in payment and reimbursement rules. Examples include the time needed for care coordination, information sharing during in-person or phone therapy, and other forms of family support. The upfront costs of reimbursing FCC practices may result in the more streamlined and effective use of healthcare services by hospitals, clinics, and healthcare systems.
In conclusion, the assessment outlines obstacles to FCC in a hospital setting. The findings raise questions about organizational commitment, cooperation, a supportive climate for FCC, effective communication, and FCC expertise. Understanding the obstacles to a patient and family-centered environment can aid in discovering solutions and lead to increased patient and family satisfaction. The outcomes also cast doubt on the notion that FCC can be accomplished independently and instead requires a system-based strategy. FCC implementation or improvement interventions can be guided by understanding these barriers. The obstacles to FCC are broadly comparable to those in other contexts.
References
Kiwanuka, F., Shayan, S. J., & Tolulope, A. A. (2019). Barriers to patient and family‐centred care in adult intensive care units: A systematic review. Nursing Open, 6(3), 676-684. Web.
Seyedfatemi, N., Mohammadi, N., & Hashemi, S. (2020). Hindrances to the implementation of family-centered care approach: A grounded theory study. Revista Latinoamericana de Hipertensión, 15(3), 170-178. Web.