Patient- And Family-centered Care Research Articles

Contents and effectiveness of patient- and family-centred care interventions in adult intensive care units: A systematic review.

The need and values of patient- and family-centred care (PFCC) have been globally increasing in the health care landscape. However, the concept of PFCC and the components in adult intensive care units (ICUs) remain wide-ranging. To elucidate the core concepts of PFCC interventions and evaluate the effects of the interventions in adult ICUs. We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Central, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, RISS, KMbase and KoreaMed) from inception to 20 June 2022, for all studies on PFCC interventions. Three authors independently conducted data screening and extraction. The core concepts and the effects of PFCC interventions in adult ICUs were examined. The effects of patient- and family-centred care interventions in adult ICUs were examined. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Overall, 3507 records were identified, and 14 full-text articles were assessed. Participants in the included studies were patients and/or their family members in adult ICUs. The main concepts of the studies were participation and information-sharing. Only two studies used collaboration as the main concept of intervention. PFCC interventions have shown positive outcomes for patients, including increased satisfaction, improvement of patient health status and reduced incidence of complications. They have also been beneficial for families, leading to higher satisfaction levels and decreased anxiety. Additionally, these interventions have positively impacted health care providers by enhancing satisfaction and improving rounding efficiency. Moreover, they have influenced health care utilization by decreasing hospital costs and length of stay. This review highlights the advantages of PFCC interventions for patients, families and health care providers in adult ICUs. Future research should focus on developing strategies to incorporate collaboration more comprehensively as a core concept in the implementation of PFCC interventions. Future research endeavours must prioritize collaborative efforts involving health care providers, patients and their families by deploying an array of strategies within the intensive care unit setting.

Nurses' views on the presence of family members during invasive procedures in hospitalised children: A questionnaire survey.

(I) To identify the opinion and practices of nursing professionals regarding the presence of family members during invasive procedures in hospitalised children; (II) to determine the knowledge of nursing professionals about the patient-and family-centred care model. Family presence in invasive procedures benefits the patient and their relatives, but varied attitudes exist among healthcare personnel, with some being favourable and others unfavourable toward family presence. Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Study population: Nurses from paediatric critical care services, emergency services, hospital wards, day hospitals and outpatient clinics at a Catalan tertiary hospital who participated voluntarily between September 2021 and July 2022. Data collection instrument: A questionnaire prepared by the researchers, based on the literature and reviewed by experts. REDCap link with access to the questionnaire was sent out to potential respondents through the institutional email. Bivariate analysis was performed with the R 4.2 program. The study was approved by the hospital's Clinical Research Committee and participants gave informed consent before responding to the questionnaire. A total of 172 nurses participated, and 155 valid responses were obtained. All respondents consider the family as a key element in paediatric care and report inviting family members to participate in the care given to their child. However, 12.0% of nurses do not invite the family to be present in invasive procedures. Almost all respondents note the need for training to acquire communication skills and improve the management of emotions. The results show a favourable opinion towards the presence of family members and highlight the need to train nurses to develop communication skills. The data provided can favour the design of measures to improve and promote the presence of parents during invasive procedures, reinforcing the patient-and family-centred care model and improving the quality of care provided. One example is the creation of family care protocols where the inclusion of parents and the roles of each individual involved in the care process appears.

Nurses’ views of patient- and family-centered care and its practices in peri-operative contexts in hospitals in Northern Ghana

BackgroundThe purpose of the study was to explore the views of nurses on the concept of patient- and family-centered care (PFCC) and its practices in a peri-operative context in Northern Ghanaian hospitals.MethodsThe study, using a qualitative explorative, descriptive, and contextual research design was conducted at six selected hospitals located in the Northern part of Ghana. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants for individual and focus group interviews. Data were generated between March and May 2022. Data saturation was reached with 27 participants comprising 15 individuals and 12 members from two focus group interviews. All interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim and the data analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsTwo themes emerged from the study, namely nurses’ understanding of the concept of PFCC and how they see the benefits of PFCC in a peri-operative context. Subthemes of the nurses’ understanding of PFCC included their perceptions of PFCC, the need for collaboration, supporting the patient’s family for better post-operative and effective communication, and PFCC practices in the peri-operative context. Subthemes for benefits of PFCC in the peri-operative context included nurse-related benefits, patient- and family-related benefits, and healthcare system-related benefits.ConclusionsThe study revealed that the concept of PFCC is unfamiliar to the Ghanaian peri-operative context despite the positive perceptions exhibited by the nurses in terms of their understanding of PFCC and its related benefits to nurses, patients, and families as well as the healthcare system.

Caregivers and Family Members’ Vulnerability in End-of-Life Decision-Making: An Assessment of How Vulnerability Shapes Clinical Choices and the Contribution of Clinical Ethics Consultation

Patient-and-family-centered care (PFCC) is critical in end-of-life (EOL) settings. PFCC serves to develop and implement patient care plans within the context of unique family situations. Key components of PFCC include collaboration and communication among patients, family members and healthcare professionals (HCP). Ethical challenges arise when the burdens (e.g., economic, psychosocial, physical) of family members and significant others do not align with patients’ wishes. This study aims to describe the concept of vulnerability and the ethical challenges faced by HCPs in these circumstances. Further, it assesses the contribution of clinical ethics consultation (CEC) in assisting HCPs to face these difficult ethical conundrums. Two clinical cases are analyzed using the Circle Method of CEC. The first regards the difficulty faced by the doctor in justifying treatments previously agreed upon between the patient and his/her friends. The second regards the patient’s concern about being a burden on their family. Family burdens in EOL settings challenge PFCC in that patient autonomy may be disregarded. This compromises shared decision-making between the patient, family and HCPs as a core component of PFCC. In their ability to promote a collaborative approach, CECs may assist in the successful implementation of PFCC.

Uptake of pediatric patient-reported outcome and experience measures and challenges associated with their implementation in Alberta: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundImplementing Patient-reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and Patient-reported Experience Measures (PREMs) is an effective way to deliver patient- and family-centered care (PFCC). Although Alberta Health Services (AHS) is Canada's largest and fully integrated health system, PROMs and PREMs are yet to be routinely integrated into the pediatric healthcare system. This study addresses this gap by investigating the current uptake, barriers, and enablers for integrating PROMs and PREMs in Alberta's pediatric healthcare system.MethodsPediatric clinicians and academic researchers with experience using PROMs and PREMs were invited to complete a quantitative survey. Additionally, key stakeholders were qualitatively interviewed to understand current challenges in implementing pediatric PROMs and PREMs within AHS. Quantitative data gathered from 22 participants were descriptively analyzed, and qualitative data from 14 participants were thematically analyzed.ResultsParticipants identified 33 PROMs and 6 PREMs showing diversity in the types of pediatric PROMs and PREMs currently being used in Alberta and their mode of administration. The qualitatively identified challenges were associated with patients, family caregivers, and clinicians. The absence of system-level support, such as integration within electronic medical records, is considered a significant system-level challenge.ConclusionsThe significant variation in the types of PROMs and PREMs used, the rationale for their use, and their mode of administration demonstrate the diverse and sporadic use of these measures in Alberta. These findings highlight the need for province-wide uniform implementation of pediatric PROMs and PREMs in Alberta. Our results could benefit healthcare organizations in developing evidence-based PROM and PREM implementation strategies in pediatrics.

Understanding equitable and affirming communication moments and relationship milestones during the intensive care unit journey: findings from stage 1 of a design thinking project.

Communication is vital to facilitate patient and family-centred care (PFCC) and to build trusting relationships between intensive care unit (ICU) health care providers, the patient, and their loved ones in the ICU. The focus of this investigation was to identify, define, and refine key moments of communication, connection, and relationship building in the ICU through a lens of Equity, Diversity, Decolonization, and Inclusion (EDDI) to encourage meaningful communication and development of trusting relationships. We conducted 13 journey mapping interviews with ICU health care providers, patients, and their loved ones as the first stage in a design thinking project. We used directed content analysis to identify intersections where principles of EDDI directly or indirectly impacted communication, relationships, and trust throughout the ICU journey. To serve diverse patients and their loved ones, accessibility, inclusivity, and cultural safety were foundational pillars of the design thinking project. Thirteen ICU health care providers, patients, and their loved ones participated in journey mapping interviews. We defined and refined 16 communication moments and relationship milestones in the journey of a patient through the ICU (e.g., admission, crises, stabilization, discharge), and intersections where EDDI directly or indirectly impacted communication and connection during the ICU journey. Our findings highlight that diverse intersectional identities impact communication moments and relationship milestones during an ICU journey. To fully embrace a paradigm of PFCC, consideration should be given to creating an affirming and safe space for patients and their loved ones in the ICU.

Peer coaching, implementation support and organisational power

ABSTRACT This article looks at the effects of power (conceived as complex and multi-directional) on the collaborative, interprofessional relationships of peer coaches when delivering implementation support. The study conducted ethnographic observations, semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis to evaluate the dynamics of peer coaching during the implementation of an evidence-based programme, Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC), to improve 24 end-of-life care services. The article draws on perspectives from critical management studies to offer insights on the effect of organisational power on collaborations during the administration of peer coaching. This article details the difficulties that organisational power structures posed to interprofessional peer-coaching collaborations. Many of the peer coaches found it difficult to place their advice in the existing ethos of organisations, existing organisational hierarchies, or collaborate in the midst of staff turnover and general time management outside of their control. These considerations meant that successful peer-coaching collaborations and the success of the implementation programme were often divergent.

Advocating for a patient- and family centered care approach to management of short bowel syndrome.

Patient- and family centered care (PFCC) is a model of providing healthcare that incorporates the preferences, needs, and values of the patient and their family and is built on a solid partnership between the healthcare team and patient/family. This partnership is critical in short bowel syndrome (SBS) management since the condition is rare, chronic, involves a heterogenous population, and calls for a personalized approach to care. Institutions can facilitate the practice of PFCC by supporting a teamwork approach to care, which, in the case of SBS, ideally involves a comprehensive intestinal rehabilitation program consisting of qualified healthcare practitioners who are supported with the necessary resources and budget. Clinicians can engage in a range of processes to center patients and families in the management of SBS, including fostering whole-person care, building partnerships with patients and families, cultivating communication, and providing information effectively. Empowering patients to self-manage important aspects of their condition is an important component of PFCC and can enhance coping to chronic disease. Therapy nonadherence represents a breakdown in the PFCC approach to care, especially when nonadherence is sustained, and the healthcare provider is intentionally misled. An individualized approach to care that incorporates patient/family priorities should ultimately enhance therapy adherence. Lastly, patients/families should play a central role in determining meaningful outcomes as it relates to PFCC and shaping the research that affects them. This review highlights needs and priorities of patients with SBS and their families and suggests ways to address gaps in existing care to improve outcomes.

Family caregivers as essential partners in care: examining the impacts of restrictive acute care visiting policies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

IntroductionDuring the pandemic many Canadian hospitals made significant changes to their ‘open family presence’ and ‘visitor policies’ to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by instituting restrictive or ‘zero visiting’ policies in healthcare facilities. These policies have the potential to create great hardship, anxiety and stress for patients, families, caregivers and frontline healthcare providers (HCPs); along with concerns about the quality and safety of patient care. The presence of family members and other caregivers as essential partners in care is an explicit expression of the philosophy of patient- and family-centred care (PFCC) in action. The purpose of this study is to increase our understanding of how changes to family presence and visiting policies and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted patients, family caregivers and frontline healthcare providers (HCPs) in acute care hospitals.MethodsA total of 38 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients, family caregivers and HCPs in Canadian provinces who had experience with visiting policies in acute care settings during the pandemic. COVID patients, and the caregivers of COVID patients, were excluded from this study. A maximum variation sampling strategy was used to guide the selection and recruitment of patients, family caregivers and HCPs, based on our interest in gaining a diversity of perspectives and experiences.ResultsMany patients, family caregivers, and HCPs view family caregiver presence as integral to PFCC, describing the essential roles played by family caregivers prior to the pandemic. There were commonalities across all three groups with respect to their perspectives on the impacts of restrictive visiting policies on patients, family caregivers and HCPs. They fell into four broad integrated categories: (1) emotional and mental health; (2) communication and advocacy; (3) safety and quality of care; and (4) PFCC, trust in the healthcare system, and future decisions regarding accessing needed healthcare. Recommendations for pandemic visiting policies were also identified.ConclusionsThe findings from this study highlighted several impacts of restrictive family caregiver presence or visiting policies implemented during COVID-19 on patients, family caregivers and HCPs in acute healthcare settings across Canada. Participants emphasized that there is no “one-size-fits-all” caregiver presence policy that will address all patient needs. To be consistent with the practice of PFCC, patients and family caregivers are welcomed as part of the healthcare team in ways that work for them, demonstrating that flexibility in family presence and visiting policies is essential.

The impact of family care visitation programme on patients and caregivers in the intensive care unit: A mixed methods study.

To track changes in the haemodynamic and respiratory indicators of patients and evaluate families' caring experiences via the visitation programme in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although most people recognise the importance of family care visitation programme in the ICU, objective research results on the effect on patients and caregivers are still insufficient. Mixed methods. In this a quasi-experimental investigation and qualitative study, after executing the programme with families of ICU patients in a general hospital in South Korea from June to July 2019, changes in haemodynamic and respiratory indicators for control (n=28) and experimental groups (n=28) were analysed; the experimental group families' experiences were analysed through in-depth interviews; the qualitative study's reporting rigour was checked against the COREQ guidelines and TREND checklist for a quasi-experimental study. Qualitative and quantitative data were examined using content analysis and repeated-measures analysis of variance, respectively. There was a significant change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the haemodynamic indicator, and the respiratory indicator in both groups increased slightly over time and then gradually stabilised; there were no significant differences or interactions between groups regarding time of systolic blood pressure. The respiratory rate significantly decreased only in the experimental group. There was a significant increase in oxygen saturation over time, as well as interactions between time and group and between groups. Four themes were extracted from families' experiences. The haemodynamic and respiratory indicators of the group using patient- and family-centred care (PFCC) showed a stable effect on critically ill patients, which increased families' satisfaction. In future, interventions should encourage family participation in the ICU for successful PFCC. The findings provided evidence for the importance of PFCC through changes in objective haemodynamic and respiratory indicators.

Parent and staff perceptions of patient and family-centred care in a Brazilian paediatric's hospital: Quantitative study.

Patient and family-centred care (PFCC) is a healthcare model has been acknowledged as the central pillar in the paediatric health care that recognizes the family's role and experience in the health care delivery. This study investigated and compared the perception of PFCC from the perspective of staff and parents of hospitalized children and adolescents. A quantitative and comparative cross-sectional survey was used in a convenience sample of 105 staff and 116 parents, who completed the Brazilian versions of the Perceptions of Family Centred Care-Parent and Staffquestionnaires, with additional questions on their characteristics. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used, as well as the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Both parents and staff responses were positive and parents had significantly higher scores for 19 of the 20 items (p < 0.001). The item related to parental participation did not show any significant difference between the groups. The positive perception of PFCCfor both groups is consistent with recommendations for expanded care that includes patient and family in healthcare settings. Parents' perception was more positive than staff perceptions of their delivery of family-centred care in hospital. The lowest score for the parent support subscale in both groups requires investigation.

The intensive care diary-a communication tool

Diaries in intensive care units (ICU) are mostly written by families and nurses for patients with impaired consciousness. In the diary, the development of the patients is described in plain language by daily reports. Patients can read the diary later and process their experiences and, if necessary, reframe them differently. ICU diaries reduce the risks of psychosocial sequelae of patients and families and are now used worldwide. Diaries have different purposes and also serve as a communication tool: words are written to a person who will hopefully read them later. This can help families to stay connected and cope better with the situation. However, writing a diary can also be perceived as a burden by some relatives and nurses due to lack of time or because it seems to be too close. ICU diaries can serve as a tool for patientand family-centered care.

"I Didn't Sign Up for This": Perspectives from Persons Living with Dementia and Care Partners on Challenges, Supports, and Opportunities to Add Geriatric Neuropalliative Care to Dementia Specialty Care.

In the United States, dementia specialty centers affiliated with centers of excellence for research hold promise as locations to develop innovative, holistic care in care systems otherwise siloed by discipline or payer. We conducted foundational research to inform development of patient-and family-centered palliative care interventions for dementia specialty centers. We interviewed persons living with dementia (PLWD), current, and former care partners (CP) recruited from a specialty dementia clinic and purposively selected for variation across disease syndrome and stage. A framework method of thematic analysis included coding, analytic matrices, and pattern mapping. 40 participants included 9 PLWD, 16 current CPs, and 15 former CPs of decedents; 48% impacted by Alzheimer's disease dementia. While help from family, support groups and adult day centers, paid caregiving, and sensitive clinical care were invaluable to PLWD, CPs, or both, these supports were insufficient to navigate the extensive challenges. Disease-oriented sources of distress included symptoms, functional impairment and falls, uncertainty and loss, and inaccessible care. Social and relational challenges included constrained personal and professional opportunities. The obligation and toll of giving or receiving caregiving were challenging. Clinical care challenges for PLWD and/or CPs included care fragmentation, insufficient guidance to inform planning and need for expert interdisciplinary clinical care at home. Findings highlight the breadth and gravity of gaps, which surpass the disciplinary focus of either behavioral neurology or palliative care alone. Results can inform the development of novel interventions to add principles of geriatrics and neuropalliative care to dementia care.

82 Exploring Healthcare Provider’s Perceptions on Implementing Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Pediatric Asthma Care: A Theoretical Domains Framework Guided Qualitative Study

Abstract Background Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) play an important role in promoting and supporting patient and family-centered care (PFCC). To deliver, improve, and sustain PFCC, it is crucial to empower children, families, and communities to identify their self-reported outcomes and experiences with the care received. PROMs play an important role in promoting and supporting PFCC. Asthma is the most common chronic condition in pediatrics requiring complex care plans and is a leading cause of hospitalization. Implementing interventions like PROMs in routine clinical care for asthma would require key stakeholders to change their behaviour. This qualitative descriptive study is part of a larger multi-phase project to develop the KidsPRO program, an electronic platform to administer, collect, and use PROMs in pediatrics. Objectives The objective of this study is to identify barriers and enablers to the implementation of PROMs in outpatient asthma clinics using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Design/Methods TDF guided this qualitative descriptive study design. TDF is one of the frameworks used in implementation sciences, which provides a theoretical basis to understanding potential barriers for the slow uptake of evidence into practice and the enablers that may influence the phenomenon. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 participants from outpatient asthma clinics, which included general pediatricians, pediatric respirologists, nurses, allied health providers, and clinic staff. All the interviews were transcribed, deductively coded, inductively grouped in themes, and categorized into barriers and enablers. Results We identified 33 themes within 14 TDF domains, which were further categorized and tabulated into 16 barriers and 17 enablers to implementing PROMs in asthma clinics. Seventeen barriers to behavioural change identified in our study were attributed to personal, clinical, non-clinical, and other system-level factors and ranged from limited awareness of PROMs to language barriers and a patient’s complex family background. Clinicians’ commitment to providing patient and family-centered care, excitement, high importance, and optimism about using PROMs to provide comprehensive healthcare were identified as the major enablers. Compatibility of using electronic PROMs with current practice, competency in communication around psychosocial questions, confidence in self-abilities, demonstrate feasibility of implementing PROMs in asthma clinics. Conclusion The implementation of PROMs in pediatrics is lagging compared to adult populations. This implementation science-based systematic inquiry captured the complexity of PROMs implementation in pediatric outpatient clinical care for asthma. Considering the consistency in barriers and enablers to implementing PROMs across patient populations and care settings, many findings of this study will be directly applicable to other pediatric healthcare settings in Canada and beyond.

TOwards enhancing Paediatric Intensive Care for Children with Medical Complexity (ToPIC CMC): a mixed-methods study protocol using Experience-based Co-design

IntroductionAdvances in medical technology and postoperative care have led to increased survival of children with medical complexity (CMC). Parents of CMC develop substantial caregiver expertise and familiarity with paediatric intensive...

Patient- and Family-Centered Physical and Psychological Distress Care Model for Adult Patients With Cancer

Patient- and family-centered care (PFCC) has become more important due to advances in medical treatment and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The evidence in the literature has proven the ability of PFCC to accomplish win-win results for the three principal parties (patients, family, and healthcare providers). In Taiwan, pancreatic cancer has risen to the 7th largest cause of cancer mortality, with increasing numbers of pancreatic-cancer-related deaths over the past ten years. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose early, and diagnoses are nearly always made during the late stage, resulting in high levels of physical and psychological distress for patients. This article was developed to introduce the core concept of PFCC and its evidence in the context of adult patients with cancer. Furthermore, the rehabilitation care model, based on PFCC, includes the 6 aspects of Family involvement, Optimistic attitude, Coping effectiveness, Uncertainty reduction, Symptom management, and Physical enhancement (FOCUS+P). A PFCC-based example of pancreatic cancer care is proposed that may be expanded to the care of patients with other types of cancer to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Holistic cancer management as a model for the emergence of a personalized bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model of diseases, development and management

Psycho-social support lies at the core of Patient and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) that health care systems aim to transform. The objective is to comprehensively inform patients and families of their health issues, empower them to take charge of their illness, and participate in making choices about managing their health and wellbeing [1].

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patient- and Family-Centered Care and on the Mental Health of Health Care Workers, Patients, and Families.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals around the world were forced to reorganize their processes in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus while still providing adequate care to patients. In the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) setting, changes in family visitation protocols and restrictions on parent chaperones during hospitalization, as well as other changes, interfered with care. Based on a narrative review of the literature, supported by the authors' observations in practice, we aimed to describe the impact of the pandemic on patient and family-centered care (PFCC) in the PICU environment, especially regarding the presence of family members, family support, and communication with patients and their families, as well as the effects of changes in these practices on the mental health of those involved. In this context, several strategies were used to sustain PFCC, and, despite many challenges, attempts were made to achieve the bare-minimum goals of humanized care for patients, families, and providers alike.

Patient and family engagement: Bridging together interprofessional practice and patient- and family-centred care

Patient and family engagement as part of the health care team is increasingly recommended to meet the objective of providing safer and more coordinated care, as well as enhancing patient satisfaction. This project explores both health care professionals’ and patients and families’ experiences with patient- and family-centred care (PFCC) and interprofessional practice (IPP). Data were collected through individual interviews with 29 health care professionals and 17 patients and families on medicine and pediatrics at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Inductive coding and thematic analysis outcomes are presented using qualitative description. We used communicative action theory to interpret the gap that emerges in our findings between the ideals and practice of IPP and PFCC. Our findings reveal that strategic action takes place far more often than communicative action. The domination of communication by health care professionals, among other systemic factors in health care, contributes to the marginalized status of patients and families in the health care team instead of being at the centre, and them being informed instead of being truly engaged. The lived experiences of patients and families are overshadowed by the needs of the health care system. Patient and family engagement has the potential to support the implementation of PFCC and IPP in health care delivery. Communicative action theory could be used as a theoretical framework for further research and evaluation of patient and family engagement.

Evidence-informed consensus statements to guide COVID-19 patient visitation policies: results from a national stakeholder meeting

PurposeHospital policies forbidding or limiting families from visiting relatives on the intensive care unit (ICU) has affected patients, families, healthcare professionals, and patient- and family-centered care (PFCC). We sought to refine evidence-informed consensus statements to guide the creation of ICU visitation policies during the current COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics and to identify barriers and facilitators to their implementation and sustained uptake in Canadian ICUs.MethodsWe created consensus statements from 36 evidence-informed experiences (i.e., impacts on patients, families, healthcare professionals, and PFCC) and 63 evidence-informed strategies (i.e., ways to improve restricted visitation) identified during a modified Delphi process (described elsewhere). Over two half-day virtual meetings on 7 and 8 April 2021, 45 stakeholders (patients, families, researchers, clinicians, decision-makers) discussed and refined these consensus statements. Through qualitative descriptive content analysis, we evaluated the following points for 99 consensus statements: 1) their importance for improving restricted visitation policies; 2) suggested modifications to make them more applicable; and 3) facilitators and barriers to implementing these statements when creating ICU visitation policies.ResultsThrough discussion, participants identified three areas for improvement: 1) clarity, 2) accessibility, and 3) feasibility. Stakeholders identified several implementation facilitators (clear, flexible, succinct, and prioritized statements available in multiple modes), barriers (perceived lack of flexibility, lack of partnership between government and hospital, change fatigue), and ways to measure and monitor their use (e.g., family satisfaction, qualitative interviews).ConclusionsExisting guidance on policies that disallowed or restricted visitation in intensive care units were confusing, hard to operationalize, and often lacked supporting evidence. Prioritized, succinct, and clear consensus statements allowing for local adaptability are necessary to guide the creation of ICU visitation policies and to optimize PFCC.