Evaluation of family-centered care from the perspectives of pediatric nurses, nursing students and parents: A mixed-methods study

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate family-centered care (FCC) practices in pediatric units from the perspectives of pediatric nurses, nursing students, and parents. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected using a cross-sectional design, while qualitative data were obtained through a case study approach. The sample consisted of 338 parents, 221 nursing students, and 10 pediatric nurses. Parents completed the FCC Assessment Scale and the PedsQL Healthcare Satisfaction Module, nursing students completed the Caring Behaviors Inventory, and pediatric nurses participated in semi-structured interviews. Results Parents reported high scores in the FCC dimensions of “support,” “collaboration,” and “respect,” which significantly predicted parental satisfaction. The “support” dimension was the strongest predictor of satisfaction with information, family participation, and technical skills. Nursing students rated pediatric nurses' caring behaviors highly. Qualitative analysis identified five major themes: (1) Perception of FCC, (2) Role of the Nurse, (3) Role of the Physician, (4) Benefits of FCC, and (5) Barriers to FCC. These themes highlighted the importance of family participation, the nurse's leadership role, gaps in physician communication, the multifaceted benefits of FCC at the child, family, and system levels, and barriers including workload, physical environment limitations, and family-related challenges. Conclusion Perceived FCC practices significantly predicted parental satisfaction. However, improvements are needed in information sharing, family participation, and physical environment conditions. Implications to practice These findings provide valuable insights for developing educational, clinical, and policy strategies to strengthen the implementation of FCC in pediatric nursing practice.