Family-centered care in Ontario general hospitals: the views of pediatric nurses.
Registered nurses and registered practical nurses working on pediatric units in 35 Ontario general hospitals participated in a study that examined their perceptions and practices of family-centered care (FCC). The Family-Centered Care Questionnaire-Revised (FCCQ-R) was used to collect the data. The participants were asked to rate their level of agreement regarding necessary elements (perceptions) of family-centered care and whether these elements are part of their current work (practice). The participants had a reasonable knowledge of the necessary elements of family-centered care, but were not consistently including these in their every day work. A number of barriers to the implementation of family-centered care were also identified. Perception and practice scores were higher among those who had participated in continuing education on family-centered care than those who had not. The findings suggest that some nurses may be having difficulties shifting from a medical helping model of care to an enabling helping model of care, which is considered the foundation of family-centered care. Difficulties in implementing family-centered care appear to be systemic, both at the unit and organizational level. Based on the findings, implications for practice, education and research are suggested.
School of Nursing, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON.
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D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004645:Empathy; D022143:Family Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016294:Models, Nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D009864:Ontario; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires