Question

Discuss family-centered care, including, but not limited to, the philosophy of nursing care and the major functions of the nurse.

Answer 1

Definition

Family centered care is a approach in health care in which patient and families are involved in planning,implementation and evaluation of health care services.The goal is to promote the health and well being of the patient and family members.

Components

1.Patient

2. Family members

3. Health care professionals

Principles of Family centered care

1. Respect and dignity

Health care professionals should respect patient and family members knowledge,beliefs, values and cultural background while planning and implementing care.Health care professionals sholud listen and honour the patient and family's choice.they should lisen the patients carefully and allow them to speak out their decisions

2. Open communication

Open and unbiased communication helps to share the information correctly to the patient and to the family. Open communication between health care professionals and family improves the outcome of care and promote the well being.

3.Participation

Patients and family's are encouraged in participation of decision making as well as in implementing care.

Benefits of Family centered care

1.Improves the outcome of care and promote the well being.

2.Improves patients and family's satisfaction

3.Increases professional satisfaction in health care professionals

4.Improves patients and family's strength in patient care

5.Decreases the health care costs

Challenges in Family centered care

1. Attitudes of patient, family and health care professionals

2. Safety and security of health care professionals

3.Health care professionals knowledge and skills

4.Family support

Role of a nurse/major functions of a nurse in Family centered care

1.Teacher

A nurse educates the patient and family in formal and informal way. Nurse briefs about illness and the way to overcome or manage the illness.

2. Coordinator

Nurse coordinates the care that the family receives.

3. Collaborator

Nurse collaborates with family to plan the care.

4.Consultant

Nurse act as a consultant to the patient and to the family whenever necessary.

5.Counselor

Nurses plays a counselor role by helping the patient and families to solve the mental or emotional problems.

6. Advocate

Nurses act as advocates by helping to take the decisions.Nurse advocates does not take decisions or give consent for the individual or to the family, rather they will educate the individual or families to make decision.