Nurses' practices of children and family-centered care for chronically ill children: A cross-sectional study

There is limited evidence of children and family-centered care (CFCC) practice in different cultural contexts, particularly regarding the factors that predict it among nurses providing care to chronically ill children. Also, the CFCC's impact on the quality of care has not been well studied. This study aimed to test a hypothesized model in which nurses' attributes and care environments predict CFCC, thereby increasing the quality of nursing care.

A multicenter cross-sectional study recruited a convenience sample of 405 nurses caring for chronically ill children in Saudi Arabia for an online survey between February 2023 and August 2023. Structural Equation Modeling evaluated the hypothesized model.

The hypothesized model fits the data based on the fit indices. Care environment affected CFCC (β = 0.831, p = .000), while nursing attributes only indirectly affected CFCC practices through the mediating effect of the work environment (β = 0.553, p = .000). The CFCC practices positively affect the quality of nursing care (β = 0.636, p = .000).

Nursing attributes impact the work environment, which affects the practice of CFCC and enhances the quality of care for chronically ill children. Investing in nurses' attributes and a positive work environment is crucial for nursing leaders to enhance CFCC practice and the quality of care.

The findings of this study can be used to shape policies and develop interventions to improve nursing CFCC practices and promote better quality of care for chronically ill children.