A Family's Perspective on Family-Centered Rounds: Progress and Frustrations.

Abstract

As a mom and a teenage patient with a rare autoimmune disease that requires monthly hospitalizations, we are big believers in making communication in the hospital more cohesive and inclusive. Family-centered rounds make a lot of sense from a patient and family point of view. When we first heard that our hospital was an advocate of rounds including the family, we were interested and happy that we would be included. It seems that so much of health care happens without the patient being in the center and with different people talking to the patient about the same thing at different times throughout the day. This study on family-centered rounds is interesting because the perception and definitions seem to vary greatly depending on whom you ask. The study in this issue by Pickel et al highlighted both things that we appreciate and things that frustrate us. For example, the study highlighted that the attending physicians talk outside the room as much as or more than they do inside the room. It is frustrating to hear the team speaking about you in the hallway before they come in and wondering what they are saying. Then, after they leave the room, they continue to have discussions in the …