Concepts of family-centered care at the neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit: A scoping review

Abstract

BackgroundUnderstanding family-centred care (FCC) concepts is critical for its implementation in any context. The researchers synthesised studies on FCC in neonatal and paediatric critical care units in order to present its concepts and gaps in the literature to guide further research in the area. MethodThe study used the JBI methodology, and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines confirmed the final report. The search for material, with the use of library sources, used Medline via PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Wiley Library online for papers published in English from 2015 to 2019 and updated to 2023. ResultsFrom 904 references, 61 studies were identified for inclusion. The majority of the studies (29; 55.77%) were qualitative ethnography and phenomenology. Four themes and ten subthemes emerged from the data to support the main concepts of FCC. ConclusionTo guide its useful integration and implementation, more research on family-centred care in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units, involving families, staff, and managers, should be undertaken. Practice implicationFindings presented in this review may provide a guide for nurses to adjust nursing interventions for critically ill neonates and children in intensive care units.