Patient and family-centred care is an approach to children’s health care that respects the central role of the family in a child’s life. Family members are critical partners with our health care team.
Health care professionals are the experts on health and disease. Families are the experts on their child and can offer essential information to enhance their child’s health care. The guiding principles of patient and family-centred care are:
Respect
Parents and other family members deserve the same respect as other members of the team. Families’ choices are respected along with their values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds.
Information Sharing
As important members of the team, families are entitled to timely, complete and unbiased information offered in a supportive way. This allows them to make informed decisions about their child’s care.
Collaboration
Patients and families are active participants in the decisions made for their child. A family knows their child and the family’s strengths and circumstances. Professionals offer medical and other technical expertise. Together the best treatment plans can be created for the patient.
Empowerment
Patient and f amily-centred care programs and services build families’ confidence and ability to care for themselves and their child.
Resources
- Paediatric Family Resource Centre
- Family Advisory Council
- Child and Youth Advisory Council
- Family Handbook for New Patients
