Application of family-centered care in cardiac surgery: a scoping review

Family-centered care (FCC) has been widely implemented in various medical settings, its application in cardiac surgery remains underexplored. Given the complexity of cardiac surgery and the significant impact on both patients and families, understanding FCC's role in this context is essential to improving patient outcomes and family well-being.

To identify the current state of the application of FCC in the families of cardiac surgery.

This study followed Arksey and O'Malley's methodology and the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews. A systematic search was conducted across ten databases between July and August 2024. Two researchers independently retrieved literature, extracted data, and cross-checked findings following predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results were organized and synthesized using a structured spreadsheet.

A total of 23 studies were included, 95.65% of which were quantitative, spanning nine countries. FCC interventions focused on collaboration, communication, negotiation, and support, primarily delivered by healthcare professionals. The main intervention formats were training sessions (100.00%), written materials (71.43%), and visual media (42.86%). FCC was linked to improved psychological well-being and greater satisfaction, with anxiety (52.38%) being the most commonly assessed outcome using validated scales. Qualitative findings highlighted the importance of FCC in patient recovery, emphasizing the need for systematic support to alleviate caregiving burden.

This scoping review highlights the core characteristics and interventions of FCC for cardiac surgery patients, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach. While FCC has shown benefits in improving emotional well-being and satisfaction, there is a lack of robust longitudinal studies and objective outcome measures. Future research should focus on interactive, personalized interventions, integrate technology, and include a broader range of outcome indicators to better assess FCC's clinical effectiveness.