Family participation during intensive care unit rounds

Abstract

In an earlier study, published in The Journal, Stickney et al from Boston Children’s Hospital evaluated the level of parental satisfaction with family attendance during pediatric intensive care unit rounds (J Pediatr 2014;164:404-6.e4). They found a high degree of parental satisfaction but a lower degree of healthcare provider satisfaction. In the current issue of The Journal, they report a new study of the goals and expectations of parents and healthcare providers in this setting. This was performed using qualitative methods; the parents were interviewed at bedside, and the healthcare providers participated in focus group discussions.The results show many important areas of agreement between providers and parents regarding goals for rounds when parents are present, including helping parents achieve an understanding of the child’s status and plan of care. However, providers and parents disagreed about the nature of opportunities to ask questions. Parents additionally reported that they wanted to provide important information about their children to the healthcare team and that they expected transparency from the team. In contrast, providers stated that parental presence sometimes inhibited frank discussion and education. The authors conclude that even though there is some agreement in goals for parent participation in morning rounds in the pediatric intensive care unit, there are opportunities to adjust the expectations of both parents and healthcare providers. They suggest several possible solutions that could help address this problem.Article page 1245▶ In an earlier study, published in The Journal, Stickney et al from Boston Children’s Hospital evaluated the level of parental satisfaction with family attendance during pediatric intensive care unit rounds (J Pediatr 2014;164:404-6.e4). They found a high degree of parental satisfaction but a lower degree of healthcare provider satisfaction. In the current issue of The Journal, they report a new study of the goals and expectations of parents and healthcare providers in this setting. This was performed using qualitative methods; the parents were interviewed at bedside, and the healthcare providers participated in focus group discussions. The results show many important areas of agreement between providers and parents regarding goals for rounds when parents are present, including helping parents achieve an understanding of the child’s status and plan of care. However, providers and parents disagreed about the nature of opportunities to ask questions. Parents additionally reported that they wanted to provide important information about their children to the healthcare team and that they expected transparency from the team. In contrast, providers stated that parental presence sometimes inhibited frank discussion and education. The authors conclude that even though there is some agreement in goals for parent participation in morning rounds in the pediatric intensive care unit, there are opportunities to adjust the expectations of both parents and healthcare providers. They suggest several possible solutions that could help address this problem. Article page 1245▶ Family Participation during Intensive Care Unit Rounds: Goals and Expectations of Parents and Health Care Providers in a Tertiary Pediatric Intensive Care UnitThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 165Issue 6PreviewTo compare perceptions, goals, and expectations of health care providers and parents regarding parental participation in morning rounds and target specific areas of opportunity for educational interventions. Full-Text PDF