Abstract:
The degree to which family-centred care is achieved in paediatric
practice varies and is subject to multiple complex influences. As
part of a strategy to improve patient care, one paediatric ward
participated in a study to elicit how care was experienced by three
stakeholder groups. This paper aims to discuss the experiences
of care of children, parents and nurses in an acute care setting,
highlighting the gap between espoused values of family-centred care
and those realized in practice.
Semi-structured interviews were used to capture the experiences
of the three stakeholder groups in relation to care planning and
delivery. Data analysis was managed by means of cognitive mapping.
Integration of data from each group on a single cognitive map
enabled construction of a community narrative.
Three themes emerged from the data:
n Relationships
n Decision-making
n So, what about the nurses?
An overarching theme of communication was found to be an
integral part of all the themes. The research team are now working
in collaboration with the ward nurses to feed back findings and
develop ways of using the data to inform clinical practice.
Determination of what was real for children, parents and nurses
in this setting is enabling staff to improve the way in which care
is delivered. Nurses are using the findings in conjunction with
continuing opportunities for development to bridge the gap between
espoused values of family-centred care and the actual experience of
caring and being cared for.
