Family-centered care in the intensive care setting: Are we ready for it?

摘要

The concept of "Family-centered care" was first introduced in 1987 with the aim of creating a family-centered, community-based, coordinated care for children with special health care needs and their families. Today, this concept is relevant in all settings including the intensive care units (ICU) and can be applied to persons of all ages (1-2). At the very heart of family-centered care is the recognition that the family is the constant in a patient's life. For this reason, family-centered care is built on partnerships between families and professionals. This complex partnership requires ICU staff to provide appropriate and accurate information and the family members to function as surrogate decision makers by providing information about the patient's wishes. These components are necessary to choose the management strategy that will best fit the patient's wishes, preferences and values.