Importance and feasibility of implementing child and parent centeredness in routine care

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Abstract Background Child and parent centeredness (CPC) are important determinants of the quality of care for children with chronic health conditions. However, little is known about the perceptions of healthcare professionals on the importance and feasibility of implementing CPC in routine care, although both might be key for the successful implementation of CPC. We therefore assessed the perceptions of healthcare professionals concerning this matter and analysed, how familiarity with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) might strengthen CPC. Methods Cross-sectional data was collected in 12 specialized interdisciplinary outpatient centres providing treatment for children with chronic health conditions in Germany. The standardized questionnaire covered (1) the importance of implementing child (CC) and (2) parent centeredness (PC) as well as (3) the feasibility of implementing CC and (4) PC in routine care (based on Arnetz et al. 2008, Patient Involvement Subscale) and (5) the prior use of the ICF. Bivariate associations were assessed with permutation tests. Results In total, 206 healthcare professionals were surveyed (response rate: 47 %). The perceived feasibility of implementing CPC fell short of their importance (p < 0,001). Moreover, CC was ranked lower than PC in terms of both importance and implementation feasibility (p < 0,001, respectively). Prior use of the ICF was associated with higher importance of CC (p < 0,001) and PC (p = 0,01). Conclusions While the importance of CPC to healthcare professionals was high, the active involvement of children and the routine implementation of CPC were perceived as challenging. Interventions to facilitate the implementation of CPC should therefore comprise hands-on implementation strategies and put a special focus on how to involve children in routine care (e.g., through special communication techniques). Including the ICF as a conceptual framework in interventions to foster CPC could be a facilitator. Key messages While child and parent centeredness are important to healthcare professionals, their implementation in routine care and the active involvement of children are challenging. Interventions to foster the implementation of child and parent centeredness should include concrete practical implementation strategies and put a special focus on the involvement of children.