Why family-centered care is especially important for pediatrics

Family-Centered Care (FCC) is an approach to healthcare provision and decision-making that involves a partnership between the family and the healthcare provider. Many health institutes, such as hospitals and clinical practices, consider FCC as a standard of pediatric health. However, despite its growing popularity and endorsement, it is still inadequately integrated into clinical practices, and many underestimate its importance in pediatric care. This article explores its importance, principles, and the challenges health providers face when implementing it into pediatric care.

Importance of FCC in pediatric care 

FCC is more than just a medical approach; it is a philosophy that places the family at the core of pediatric care. It recognizes that parents and guardians are active partners in caring for a child’s wellbeing. In contrast to a child facing a health issue surrounded by unfamiliar faces and cold hospital walls, FCC places the family by their side, with support and love helping them navigate the challenges. The difference is why FCC is essential. It ensures that the healing process isn’t lonely, especially for children. 

Healthcare providers have shifted from the paternalistic model, where doctors made decisions independently over time, embracing a more collaborative one involving young patients’ families. The shift was born out of the recognition that families possess invaluable knowledge about their children. Professionals found that involving them in healthcare decisions led to better outcomes. This evolution is a testament to the power of listening to the voices of parents and caregivers. 

Health providers have realized that taking the family-centered approach reduces the risk of complications, legal battles, and potential loss of life while improving the chances of better outcomes. Family members are in the best position to get their children to comply with treatments and open up about their true state of being. Thus, their contributions make work easier for healthcare providers. The FCC approach has brought much improvement to pediatric care outcomes, and it will continue to do so. This is why implementing clinical practices and adoption across all spheres of the health sector is essential. 

Key principles of FCC 

FCC is based on certain principles to ensure the efficiency of the medical approach. When these principles are in place, the effectiveness of FCC is particularly visible in pediatric care. Treatments go according to plan without hassle, and the possibility of desired outcomes is heightened. The principles are as follows. 

Respect and dignity 

The core principle of FCC is effective collaboration between healthcare providers and families. This is only possible when respect and dignity are present between the parties involved. Health professionals and families must work together, exploring possibilities to improve the child’s health condition. The healthcare providers must understand that it is not just about the medical expertise. Harnessing the knowledge and insights that parents bring to the table is equally vital. 

Healthcare providers must honor family’s perspectives and choices while also considering that families come from diverse backgrounds and cultural factors can greatly influence healthcare decisions. They must embrace this diversity and ensure that cultural beliefs and practices are respected and integrated into the care plan for each child. 

Information sharing 

Undoubtedly, parents or caregivers are the true experts when it comes to their children. They know their child’s quirks, preferences, and needs better than anyone else. Thus, FCC requires that health professionals respect this expertise and leverage it for the child’s benefit through effective communication. Health providers and family members must share accurate and timely information to ensure effective contribution to care and decision-making.

Individualized care plans

Every child is unique, and so are their healthcare needs. Hence, FCC involves tailoring treatment plans to the specific requirements of each child, acknowledging that one size doesn’t fit all in pediatric care.

Benefits of FCC in pediatric care

Adopting the FCC approach for pediatric care has numerous benefits, making it essential for pediatric care. These benefits are outlined below. 

Improved health outcomes for children

According to studies, involving family members in their child’s care often leads to better healthcare outcomes. The significant improvement in health outcomes isn’t just about medication; the emotional and psychological wellbeing is also greatly improved. Pediatric care is essential, and sticking to an approach that gives improved results is a no-brainer. This benefit of FCC makes it essential for healthcare professionals across all levels to advocate and embrace the approach. 

Enhanced family satisfaction and involvement 

Parents’ satisfaction, confidence, and adherence to treatment plans improve when they are more involved in the care and decision-making process. When family members feel heard and valued, their belief in the healthcare system grows, and they are likely to have a more satisfying experience. Beyond the families’ satisfaction, healthcare professionals also face less opposition or challenges when working with families to provide care for their children. They can get maximum patient compliance as well as much-needed family support. 

Reduced anxiety 

The family-centered approach to pediatric care is best for managing emotions and coping with the stress and challenges of a child’s illness or injury. Being involved in the care process as a parent, guardian, or caregiver reduces their fear and anxiety. It also gives the sick child strong emotional support, ensuring everyone has a positive experience. 

Reduced possibility of legal action

Previous approaches to pediatric care triggered a lot of legal action, as healthcare professionals solely made decisions on behalf of the patients and their families and were blamed for any complications or negative outcomes that resulted. However, the FCC approach ensures parents are fully aware of the treatment options for their children, risks involved, and possible outcomes. The approach ensures that parents share equal responsibility with healthcare providers in decision-making. Thus, irrespective of the treatment outcome, health providers can remain protected from unwarranted legal action or backlash. 

Reduction in healthcare disparities

FCC eliminates discrimination and prejudice that may bring disparities in the healthcare provision for families from different backgrounds or with varying resources. It allows every family equal access to information and involvement in their child’s care. Hence, by integrating the FCC approach, parents, caregivers, or guardians having a say in their child’s treatment is no longer a luxury. Everyone can enjoy such privilege regardless of social status or race. 

Building trust between healthcare providers and families

Integrating FCC approaches into pediatric care allows parents to trust health providers more. Trust is the cornerstone of any successful doctor-patient relationship, and families can help build that trust. Thus, to gain the patient’s trust, healthcare professionals must first try to gain the family’s trust. FCC builds trust by fostering open communication, empathy, and mutual respect. Parents should always speak up when necessary, and healthcare professionals should create a receptive atmosphere that can prompt openness and seamless information sharing between parties. 

Care continuity 

Adopting a family-centered approach in pediatric care ensures that the patient’s treatment doesn’t stop when they are no longer under the care or supervision of the healthcare provider. This is particularly essential for children with critical or rapidly changing conditions. Constant monitoring and assessment are essential in such cases, and it takes the combined efforts of the parents and the healthcare provider to achieve satisfactory outcomes. 

Challenges and barriers associated with implementing family-centered care

Integrating FCC into pediatric care isn’t always straightforward. While the approach has improved child healthcare outcomes, it hasn’t been as widely accepted as expected. This is due to some of the challenges and barriers highlighted below. 

Resistance to change in healthcare systems

Resistance to change in the healthcare sector has made implementing FCC challenging. Most key players in the sector are accustomed to the traditional approach where there is a hierarchy, and parents play minor roles in pediatric care. Facilitating a paradigm shift and replacing the old culture with a progressive approach has been somewhat challenging, hindering the FCC approach acceptance. 

Balancing the needs of the child and family

Maintaining the efficiency of parents’ involvement in pediatric care is another challenge when it comes to FCC. To maintain the efficiency of the approach, healthcare providers must balance their patients’ needs and their families. Sometimes, the family’s demands may not align with the patient’s best interests medically. Finding the balance in this situation can be delicate and challenging.

Cultural differences and language barrier

Cultural diversity enriches society, but it can also present challenges in healthcare. It can affect decision-making, requiring healthcare providers to create a unique treatment plan for each case. Also, the difference in language is another challenge healthcare professionals face when implementing this approach. The language barrier could prevent effective and timely communication. 

Resources limitations 

Some healthcare settings may lack the abundance of resources needed to implement FCC effectively. These resources may include training and adequate support, communication tools, designated family space, feedback mechanisms, and tailored treatment plan options. Without the capability to put these necessary resources in place, implementing FCC may be delayed. 

Privacy concerns 

Healthcare providers face the challenge of balancing the need for open communication with protecting patient and family privacy. This is more crucial in a shared healthcare space or in cases involving interdisciplinary collaboration. Maintaining confidentiality is essential, and it may be quite challenging with the FCC approach. 

Time constraints 

While involving parents in pediatric care is highly effective, it can slow the treatment process. Healthcare providers may need extra time to explain certain concepts to parents, especially when insisting on an alternative approach. Making time for this dialogue can be challenging, especially in a busy healthcare environment with a small pediatrician-to-patient ratio. 

Practical solutions to overcome FCC challenges 

The importance of FCC in pediatric healthcare cannot be overstated. It has proven to be a widely beneficial approach that can improve child healthcare quality and ensure parents and patients receive a better healthcare experience. Thus, ensuring universal acceptance by eliminating hindering challenges or barriers is paramount. Here are practical solutions that can help eliminate these barriers.

Emulating a successful model of implementation 

Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare spaces looking to implement FCC can follow in the footsteps of successful ones. As every healthcare setting is unique, they can modify adaptable strategies to better suit their settings and get desired results. 

Sensitization 

Orientating parents on how FCC works is essential to make the approach effective. It promotes understanding between families and healthcare providers, eliminating the challenges of striking balance and saving time communicating. 

Training and education for healthcare professionals

Transforming healthcare culture requires equipping healthcare providers with the skills and mindset needed for FCC. Pediatricians and other team members may also have to go through communication training and cultural sensitivity workshops. Nurses may be required to attain additional qualifications from DNP nurse practitioner online programs. Thankfully, there are reputable institutes offering accredited courses to help professionals (and other interested individuals) learn the skills they need for FCC. Universities, such as the University of Indianapolis, help students improve their knowledge and skills to achieve a nurse practitioner degree, like an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).  

Keeping up with trends 

FCC is dynamic, with ongoing research shedding light on new best practices. Staying abreast of these developments is crucial for healthcare institutions to provide the best care for children and families. This will also help improve the efficiency of the approach in pediatric care. 

Leveraging technological advancements

Technological advancement has enabled exciting possibilities, from telehealth options that enhance family involvement to wearable devices that monitor pediatric patients. This field has also provided AI-driven tools for personalized care plans. Implementing FCC will become easier by embracing technology. 

A united front wins the fight

FCC advocates for collaborative efforts between parents or caregivers and healthcare providers toward pediatric care. This can improve healthcare outcomes as it makes kids more compliant, less scared, and emotionally supported. It also reduces family stress and anxiety as well as the possibility of backlash, irrespective of treatment outcomes. Parents or caregivers are experts in caring for their children, and this approach recognizes that, making it essential for pediatric care processes.

Originally posted 2023-09-29 22:26:41.