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Promoting family-centered care with foster families
1College of Nursing and Clinical Nurse Researcher, University of Kentucky Children's Hospital, Lexington, USA.
Insights
The number of children in foster care has surged, with many experiencing health issues from prenatal drug exposure and neglect. Healthcare providers must better address the unique needs of these children and their foster families.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Welfare
- Public Health
Background:
- Increased demand for foster families since the 1980s, linked to drug abuse impacting children and families.
- Approximately 500,000 children currently reside in foster care settings.
- Many foster children face challenges due to prenatal drug exposure or neglect within drug-abusing households, leading to chaotic family environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the increased healthcare needs of children in foster care.
- To address the documented neglect of these healthcare needs by professionals.
- To emphasize the role of pediatric nurses in improving care for foster children and families.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on foster care and child health.
- Analysis of challenges faced by foster families in accessing healthcare.
- Identification of specific needs of foster children related to drug exposure and neglect.
Main Results:
- Foster children exhibit elevated healthcare requirements stemming from drug exposure and neglect.
- Research indicates that the healthcare needs of foster children are frequently overlooked.
- Foster families report unmet needs and concerns regarding recognition and attention from healthcare professionals.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric nurses play a crucial role in enhancing healthcare for foster children.
- Increased awareness among healthcare professionals about the specific needs of foster families is essential.
- Addressing the unique health challenges of foster children requires a more responsive and informed healthcare system.
Abstract:
There has been a tremendous increase in the need for foster families since the 1980s largely because of the effects of drug abuse on the child and the biological family. As many as 500,000 children are currently living with foster families. Many children living with foster families were exposed to drugs before birth. Even those not exposed before birth demonstrate the effects of having lived with drug-abusing family members. Family life for these children is very often chaotic and unpredictable. There are increased health care needs for foster children due to drug-exposure and neglect. Yet, research suggests that the health care needs of foster children are often neglected. Foster families report that their concerns and needs are, frequently, neither recognized nor addressed by health professionals. Pediatric nurses can improve health care by increasing their awareness of the special needs of foster families and foster children.