Family-Centered Care Philosophy and Core Concepts
Family-Centered Care at Cincinnati Children's
A father and his daughter wait to see a health professional at Cincinnati Children's.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center incorporates the family-centered care philosophy into every aspect of its clinical and research practice.
At the heart of family-centered care is the belief that health care providers, patients, and their families are partners, working together to best meet the needs of the child.
Parents and family members provide a child's primary strength and support. Their information and insights can enhance the professional staff's technical knowledge, improve care, and help us design better programs and friendlier systems.
Family-Centered Care Core Concepts
Dignity and Respect
Health care practitioners listen to and honor patient and family perspectives and choices. Patients and families listen to and honor health care practitioners' expertise, knowledge, and skill. Patient and family knowledge, values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds are incorporated into the planning and delivery of care.
Information Sharing
Health care practitioners communicate and share complete and unbiased information with patients and families in ways that are affirming and useful. Patients and families share complete and honest information about their current condition and the context in which they live. All team members receive timely, complete, and accurate information in order to effectively participate in care and decision-making. Trust and respect of one another is essential for this kind of information sharing to take place.
Participation
Patients and families are encouraged, educated, and supported in participating in care and decision-making at the level they choose.
Collaboration
Patients and families are also included on an institution-wide basis. Health care leaders collaborate with patients and families in policy and program development, implementation, and evaluation; in health care facility design; and in professional education, as well as in the delivery of care.
