Technology and family-centered perinatal care: conflict or synergy?

Advances in technology have dramatically changed health care delivery and the experience of patients and families during the past 2 decades. Accompanying the explosion of new technology, particularly in perinatal and pediatric settings, has been movement toward humanizing the health care environment through an emphasis on family-centered care. The impact technology has had on patients, families, and caregivers is reviewed, and the evolution of family-centered care in relation to technological progress is chronicled. Recommendations are provided for ways in which technology and family-centered care can work together to improve perinatal health care.