Optimizing Resident Education during Family-centered Rounds: An Educational Improvement Initiative

Family-centered rounding (FCR) allows the medical team to partner with patients in medical decision-making, improving communication, and enhancing safety. However, FCR may compromise aspects of the resident education experience. In a survey of pediatric residents at our children's hospital, only 20% felt FCR provided the best educational experience. We designed this project to increase the percentage of residents with a positive perception of the educational experience on FCR from 20% to 80% in 6 months.

This project utilized The Model for Improvement and sequential plan-do-study-act cycles. A needs assessment identified educational activities negatively impacted by FCR. We then designed a hybrid FCR process with formal presentations outside patient rooms followed by traditional bedside FCR. Our primary measure was the percentage of residents positively perceiving the FCR educational experience. Our balancing measures included rounding duration and family satisfaction and comprehension.

Residents who perceive FCR to be the best educational experience improved from a baseline of 21% to 76%, with a calculated response rate of 79%. Patients receiving FCR remained above 80%. All surveyed families understood their care plans and remained satisfied with the information provided, although 21% were concerned about the number of people present on rounds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty-three percent of hospitalist rounds exceeded the allotted time.

The hybridization of FCR to include formal presentations may improve the resident learning experience while preserving family satisfaction and comprehension.