Feasibility of a Family-Centered Hospital Intervention

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Management
• Family Studies

Background:

• Millions of family caregivers perform medical tasks with inadequate training.
• Healthcare systems need to better integrate family caregivers as partners in patient care.
• Current practices often leave family caregivers unprepared for complex medical responsibilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To encourage healthcare and social service professionals to engage family caregivers as partners.
• To present the phases and results of the Professional Partners Supporting Family Caregivers project.
• To evaluate a family-centered intervention in hospital settings.

Main Methods:

• A family-centered intervention was developed and implemented in five hospitals.
• Patient and family caregiver hospital experiences were assessed.
• Nurses' perceptions of their work environment regarding older adult and caregiver support were evaluated.
• Data collected from intervention and comparison sites included patient, family caregiver, and nurse perspectives.

Main Results:

• The family-centered intervention demonstrated positive outcomes.
• Patients in intervention sites reported improved hospital experiences.
• Nurses in intervention sites showed enhanced perceptions of caring for older adults and their families.
• The intervention successfully promoted family-centered care principles.

Conclusions:

• A family-centered intervention shows promise for improving hospital care.
• Engaging family caregivers as partners can enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction.
• Healthcare professionals' perceptions of supporting families can be positively influenced.
• This approach highlights the importance of integrating family support into clinical practice.