Pediatrics Residents' Perspectives on Family-Centered Rounds: A Qualitative Study at 2 Children's Hospitals

Many academic hospitals have incorporated family-centered rounds, yet little is known about pediatrics residents' perspectives on the educational impact of these rounds.

To identify pediatrics residents' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about family-centered rounds, including perceived benefits and barriers.

We conducted focus groups of residents exposed to family-centered rounds at 2 university-affiliated, freestanding children's hospitals. Focus group data were analyzed using grounded theory.

A total of 24 residents participated in 4 focus groups. Residents reported that family-centered rounds enhance education by increasing patient encounters and improving physical exam skills, direct observation, real-time feedback, and attending role modeling; improve parent satisfaction, interpersonal and communication skills, and safety; and reduce length of stay. Physical constraints (large teams and small rooms), lack of uniform approaches to family-centered rounds, variable attending teaching styles, and specific conditions (child abuse, patients on isolation) were cited barriers.

Pediatrics residents report that well-conducted family-centered rounds improve their education and the quality of patient care, including parent satisfaction, communication with families, and patients' length of stay. Standardizing family-centered rounds and reducing attending variability in teaching style might further enhance residents' educational experiences.