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Promoting father-friendly healthcare.
Linda Beth Tiedje1, Cynthia Darling-Fisher
1Department of Epidemiology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48823, USA. tiedje@msu.edu
MCN. the American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing
|November 5, 2003
Summary
Healthcare providers should actively include fathers in clinical encounters. This guide offers tools for assessing and improving interactions to create more father-inclusive healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Family Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Fathers are increasingly involved in children's lives and healthcare.
- Existing literature highlights the marginalization or invisibility of fathers in clinical settings.
- Healthcare providers often lack awareness and intentionality in engaging fathers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To increase healthcare provider awareness of their interactions with fathers.
- To guide providers in assessing and improving their engagement with fathers.
- To promote the development of father-friendly healthcare practices.
Main Methods:
- Self-assessment of provider interactions (introductions, body language, eye contact, information exchange, beliefs).
- Discussion of intentional strategies for father inclusion, guided by the PLISSIT model.
- Review of best practices, challenges, and resources for father inclusion.
Main Results:
- Identifies key components for self-assessment of provider-father interactions.
- Provides actionable strategies for enhancing father engagement in healthcare.
- Highlights the shift from questioning inclusion to implementing effective methods.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare providers must move beyond questioning whether to include fathers to focusing on how to do so effectively.
- Intentional, father-friendly practices are crucial for optimal pediatric healthcare.
- Resources and strategies are available to support improved father engagement.