Paediatric Nurses Approach in Carrying Out Patient and Family Centered Care at a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Ghana

Abstract

Background: Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC) is one of the fundamentals in paediatrics nursing which is struggling to gain recognition in nursing practice worldwide due to inadequate exploratory studies in the area. Others also call PFCC in paediatric world as Child and Family Centred Care (CFCC). Admittedly, its benefits to paediatric health care delivery cannot be measured but practicing is problematic. Nurses, policy makers and nursing research are yet to give the necessary attention PFCC deserves. Purpose: The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the practice of PFCC in the Paediatric Ward of Tamale Teaching Hospital. Methodology: This study made use of a purposive convenient design. Qualitative data was collected using validated interview guide which were administered to ten participants in the Paediatric Ward of Tamale Teaching Hospital in the Tamale Metropolis. Key Findings: The results showed majority of the participants do not have enough knowledge on PFCC, PFCC is partially being practiced and inadequate infrastructural in the ward. Recommendations: Policy on PFCC should be established by the government, models of Patient and Family Centred Care should be developed, refresher courses on PFCC should be given to nurses, the general public should be sensitized on PFCC and more nursing research should be carried on it.