What is Family-Centered Care?
Family-centered care is an innovative approach to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of health care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among patients, families, and health care providers. Family-centered care applies to patients of all ages, and may be practiced in any health care setting.
Family-Centered Care at VCU Children’s Medical Center
Providing high quality health care to patients and their families is a top priority at VCU Children’s. We believe in a partnership with children, their families, and the health care team to provide complete care to our patients.
VCU Children’s Family-Centered Care Core Concepts
V
Value of family and patient: The family and patient are the most valuable part of our health care team.
C
Communication: Excellent health care begins with open communication between patients, their families, and the health care team. We value the knowledge you have about your child. Sharing information builds trust and enhances the partnership between families and the health care team.
U
Unique: Each child and each family is unique—with different personalities, life experiences, values, beliefs, education, and religious and cultural backgrounds. As we care for your child, your needs are important to us in order to provide excellent health care.
C
Choice: We strive to provide the information and support that families need to make educated choices about treatment.
M
eMpowerment: Our goal is to empower families to join in their child’s health care journey. When families and patients understand their options, they are empowered to be involved in the care of their child.
C
Collaboration: We believe that the patient, their family, and the health care team must work together as collaborators in order to provide the best health care for your child.
*For more information please visit The Institute on Family-Centered Care.
Who is on the health care team?
VCU Children’s is committed to providing excellent health care for children while recognizing that the family is a necessary member of the health care team. The health care team also includes attending physicians, nurses, residents, interns, medical students, child life specialists, hospital teachers, social workers, and other allied health professionals involved in the patient’s care.
What are family-centered rounds?
Each day, your child’s health care team will meet to discuss your child’s plan of care. We believe that family-centered rounds are an important part of the health care children and families receive because, when it comes to knowing your child, you are the expert!
Family-centered rounds:
- Are held at the patient’s bedside.
- Lessen anxiety for the child and family.
- Allow the family to offer insight regarding their child’s behaviors and/or reactions.
- Provide an opportunity for better communication among the health care providers and family members, resulting in a more accurate and unified plan of care.
- Encourage family participation in the decision-making process by allowing them input into their child’s plan of care.
- Provide educational experiences for the family as well as health care providers.
When are family-centered rounds?
The morning following your child’s admission to the hospital, the health care team will stop by your child’s room for family-centered rounds between 7:15 a.m. and 8 a.m. For the rest of the time your child is hospitalized, family-centered rounds will be conducted between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to participate in family-centered rounds?
Family participation in family-centered rounds is completely optional. The family’s choice to participate will not affect the care provided.
How will my child’s confidentiality be protected if he/she is in a semi-private room?
Typically, family-centered rounds are conducted at the bedside. If you are uncomfortable discussing information about your child in a semi-private room, request that the discussion take place outside of your child’s room or to speak with the doctor at a later time.
What if I have additional questions about my child’s plan of care after family-centered rounds?
Your health care team understands that having a child in the hospital is stressful. Write down your questions and/or concerns to discuss with your child’s health care providers during family-centered rounds. A doctor on your child’s team is always available to address additional questions and/or concerns that require immediate or more detailed attention.
How do I let my child’s health care team know that I would like to participate in family-centered rounds?
Indicate your desire to participate in family-centered rounds by completing the attached preference card. You can change the information at any time during your child’s hospital stay.
If I cannot be here for family-centered rounds, how can I be included?
If you cannot be at the hospital during family-centered rounds but would like to participate, talk with your child’s doctor and other arrangements will be made.
Keep track of your child’s health care team members on the health care team form.