Families' Experiences With Pediatric Family-Centered Rounds: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Context: Family-centered rounding (FCR) is of increasing importance in pediatric medicine. Although researchers have begun to understand the effect of FCR on providers and systematic health care outcomes, we provide a systematic review of the literature regarding families' experiences with FCR.

Objective: To systematically review patient and family experiences with pediatric FCR.

Data sources: Our data sources included PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Embase.

Study selection: Inclusion criteria included publication in a peer-reviewed journal between January 2007 and February 2017, written in the English language, pediatric population (patients 0-21 years), and specific measurement of a families' experience with FCR.

Data exraction: Data extracted were sample size, participating medical unit, measures of family experience, and overall results of family experience.

Results: Twenty-eight studies were included. It is unclear whether participation in FCR increases family satisfaction compared with standard rounds; however, families report a strong desire to participate in FCR. Family benefits of FCR included increased understanding of information and confidence in the medical team, as well as reduced parental anxiety.

Limitations: There were only 2 studies in which researchers examined pediatric patients' experiences with FCR, and literature on the communication needs of non-English-speaking families was also limited.

Conclusions: Overall, it is suggested that families positively perceive their experience with FCR, although more research is needed to determine if satisfaction is greater in FCR versus standard rounds as well as to better understand different perspectives of adolescent patients and non-English-speaking families.