Associations of Environmental Modifications and Collaborative Care Environments with Positive Health in Families of...

Background/Objectives: Improved survival rates have led to an increase in the number of children with medical complexity (CMC) receiving home-based care. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding the relationships among collaborative environments, environmental modifications, and positive family health among families of CMC in daily living settings. This study aimed to examine these relationships and identify their associated factors. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of data derived from a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to the families of CMC with experience in organizing the care environment. Ninety responses were included in the study, and regression analyses were performed using complete cases (n = 41-63). Results: Family-led environmental modifications (β = 0.670, p < 0.001) and physical environmental modifications (β = 0.679, p = 0.015) were positively associated with the collaborative environment, whereas professional-facilitated family-led environmental modifications were negatively associated with the collaborative environment (β = -0.775, p = 0.009). Regarding positive health in families, family-led environmental modifications (β = 0.487, p = 0.018), environmental modifications for care improvement (β = 0.597, p = 0.031), pre-modification family well-being (β = 0.464, p < 0.001), and the presence of someone to consult (β = 0.330, p = 0.011) were significantly associated with positive health in families. Because this study employed a cross-sectional design, causal relationships cannot be inferred. Conclusions: Collaborative environments in daily living settings may be associated with family involvement, physical environmental conditions, and professional engagement. Healthcare professionals may support family autonomy and participation in environmental modification processes.