Family experiences and pediatric health services use associated with family-centered rounds.
BACKGROUND
Family-centered rounds (FCR) are defined as interdisciplinary bedside teaching rounds with active family participation. The objective of this study was to examine the association of FCR with family experiences and health services use.


METHODS
Prospective study comparing families with a child admitted to general pediatric inpatient services with and without FCR. The presence of FCR elements was assessed before study enrollment. Study data were obtained by an in-person interview, a follow-up phone interview <1 week after discharge, and medical record review. Family outcomes were informed by Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems measures. Health service use outcomes included hour of discharge, number of medications, and overall charges. Primary analyses included χ(2) and multivariate regression. Secondary analyses by using propensity score matching were performed to account for differences on observed variables.


RESULTS
A total of 140 of 203 eligible families were enrolled; 97 completed follow-up surveys (49 on FCR team). Compared with non-FCR, FCR families were more likely to report consistent medical information (P < .001), the option of discussing care plan (P < .001), doctors listening carefully (P < .01), and doctors showing respect (P < .001). No differences were found in number of medications (mean 2.4 vs 2.9, P = .26) or discharge time (mean 3:06 pm versus 2:43 pm, P = .39). No difference was found for hospital charges after adjusting for length of stay outliers.


CONCLUSIONS
FCR are associated with higher parent satisfaction, consistent medical information, and care plan discussion, with no additional burden to health service use. Additional studies should assess FCR under different settings of care.
Center for Applied Research and Evaluation, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202, USA. dzkuo@uams.edu
Dennis Z
DZ
Kuo
Laura L
LL
Sisterhen
Ted E
TE
Sigrest
James M
JM
Biazo
Mary E
ME
Aitken
Christopher E
CE
Smith
D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D056164:Teaching Rounds; D014600:Utilization Review