The concept of child-centered care in healthcare: a scoping review protocol

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare Research
• Health Policy Analysis
• Child Development Studies

Background:

• Child-centered care (CCC) is recognized as a crucial framework in pediatric healthcare.
• Existing literature presents varied interpretations of CCC, necessitating a comprehensive review.
• Understanding CCC's core tenets is vital for improving healthcare delivery for children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review to identify and evaluate the concept of child-centered care (CCC) in healthcare.
• To achieve greater clarity on the concept of CCC, its applicability, and benefits.
• To inform the evidence base for children's healthcare, policy, and practice.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across multiple databases.
• Scoping review methodology to map existing evidence.
• Thematic analysis of identified literature on child-centered care.

Main Results:

• The review identified diverse definitions and applications of child-centered care across various healthcare settings.
• Key benefits of CCC include improved patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment, and health outcomes.
• Potential barriers to implementing CCC were also identified, such as resource limitations and staff training needs.

Conclusions:

• Child-centered care (CCC) is a multifaceted concept with significant potential to improve pediatric healthcare.
• Further research is needed to standardize CCC implementation and measure its long-term impact.
• Evidence supports the integration of CCC principles into healthcare policy and practice to enhance children's well-being.