Developing conceptual guidelines for Family-Centered Care for standard ICU practice: A constructivist grounded theory

Area of Science:

• Healthcare research
• Nursing and medical practice
• Qualitative research methodologies

Background:

• Family-centered care (FCC) is crucial in intensive care units (ICUs).
• Understanding perspectives of healthcare providers and families is essential for effective FCC implementation.
• Existing FCC models require refinement for the unique ICU environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the constructs of family-centered care (FCC) from the viewpoints of nurses, doctors, and families in ICUs.
• To develop evidence-based FCC guidelines tailored for ICU settings.
• To enhance the integration of family perspectives into critical care.

Main Methods:

• Constructivist grounded theory (CGT) design.
• Conducted 12 individual interviews and 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 72 participants (nurses, doctors, families).
• Data analyzed using CGT analysis with MAXQDA, adhering to the 32-COREQ checklist.

Main Results:

• Four emergent themes from participant perspectives: respect, family support, participation, and collaboration.
• Nurses and doctors expressed positive views towards FCC and willingness to implement it.
• Subthemes provided deeper insights into the multifaceted nature of FCC constructs in the ICU.

Conclusions:

• Nurses and doctors are receptive to FCC in ICUs, indicating potential for successful integration into standard practice.
• Developed conceptual guidelines for FCC based on the four core constructs: respect, family support, participation, and collaboration.
• Facilitating FCC implementation requires family-inclusive ICU design, improved communication, and staff training.