Paediatric Patient-Centred Care: Evidence and Evolution

Abstract

This chapter begins with an overview of paediatric patient-centred care, with a focus on child and family-centered care (C&FCC). For clarity, the term `C&FCC' is largely used throughout the chapter. Following this initial overview, an examination of theoretical foundations and other influences that inform our understanding of C&FCC is presented. A brief and critical review of existing evidence for C&FCC is outlined, and is illustrated by selected research, including systematic reviews, outcome-based evaluations, and studies addressing individual C&FCC practices or interventions. Overall, the evidence for C&FCC is limited; however, it increasingly points to the positive impact of C&FCC on a range of outcomes and processes related to health, mental health, well-being, satisfaction and family functioning. There is emerging consensus about core elements that comprise C&FCC and, increasingly, the body of literature indicates that C&FCC merits ongoing implementation and evaluation in seeking effective paediatric healthcare.