Key elements of family centered care – Health of the children has been considered as the vital importance to all societies because children are the basic resource for the future of humankind. Nursing care of children is concerned for both the health of the children and for the illnesses that affect their growth and development. The increasing complexity of medical and nursing science has created a need for special area of child care, i.e. pediatric nursing.
Pediatric nursing is the specialized area of nursing practice concerning the care of children during wellness and illness. It includes preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative care of children. It emphasizes on all round development of body, mind and spirit of the growing individual. Thus, pediatric nursing involves in giving assistance, care and support to the growing and developing children to achieve their individual potential for functioning with fullest capacity.
Key elements of family centered care
- Family is constant
- Facilitating family and professional collaboration at all levels.
- Exchanging complete – and unbiased information between families and professionals.
- Honoring of cultural, diversity (ethnic, racial, economic, spiritual, social, educational and geographical).
- Recognizing and respecting different methods of coping.
- Family-to family, support
- Flexible, accessible and comprehensive hoe, hospital, community service and support systems.
- Appreciating families as families and children as children.

Family-centered care or Relationship-Centered Care is one of four approaches that provides an expanded view of how to work with children and families. Family-centered service is made up of a set of values, attitudes, and approaches to services for children with special needs and their families.
In some family-centered settings such as the Hasbro Children’s Partial Hospital Program, medical and psychiatric services are integrated to help teach parents and children methods to treat illness and disease.
Family-centered service recognizes that each family is unique; that the family is the constant in the child’s life; and that they are the experts on the child’s abilities and needs. The family works with service providers to make informed decisions about the services and supports the child and family receive. In family-centered service, the strengths and needs of all family members are considered.
Read more: