Ethical Considerations in Family-Centered Care

Family-centered care (FCC) is an approach to health care delivery that recognizes the central role that family members play in patients' lives, emphasizing dignity and respect, information sharing, participation, and collaboration. With ethical foundations in principlism, care ethics, and feminist ethics, FCC promotes the autonomy of the family unit. However, prioritizing the needs of the patient and the family in a mutually beneficial manner can be ethically complex, particularly when needs diverge. Attention to best practices in communication, collaboration from the outset, and ethics consultation can be useful in addressing ethical conflict and ensuring patients and families receive goal-concordant care.