What are the best pediatric patient-centered care models to improve patient satisfaction?

Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of quality and safety in health care, especially for pediatric patients and their families. Providing patient-centered care, which involves engaging patients and families in decision-making, respecting their preferences and values, and addressing their emotional and social needs, can improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. However, not all pediatric care settings have adopted patient-centered care models or strategies. In this article, you will learn about some of the best practices and examples of pediatric patient-centered care models that can help you advocate for your child's health and well-being.

1 Family-centered care

Family-centered care is a widely recognized and endorsed approach to pediatric care that recognizes the central role of families in children's health and development. Family-centered care involves collaborating with families as partners in care, providing them with information and education, supporting their choices and coping skills, and respecting their diversity and culture. Family-centered care can improve patient satisfaction by enhancing trust, communication, and coordination between families and health care providers. Some examples of family-centered care strategies include inviting families to participate in rounds, providing family-friendly spaces and amenities, and offering family support services and resources.

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Brendon Scott

Experienced Emergency Response & Healthcare Project Consultant | Seeking to Lead Life-Saving Programs
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Induction. Induction is the familiarisation of where what is and the basic functions of each payment and systems. Induction is a learning event and you giving the parents a deeper understanding of the processes. Many places still treat the family as visitors and that is a mindset that needs to change.

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2 Patient- and family-activated rapid response teams

Patient- and family-activated rapid response teams (PFARTs) are a patient safety intervention that allows patients and families to call for immediate help from a multidisciplinary team of clinicians when they notice a serious change in their child's condition or have concerns about their care. PFARTs can improve patient satisfaction by empowering patients and families to voice their worries, enhancing their sense of control and safety, and reducing adverse events and transfers to intensive care units. Some examples of PFARTs implementation include providing clear instructions and criteria for activating the team, educating patients and families about the benefits and risks of the intervention, and ensuring timely and respectful responses from the team.

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3 Patient- and family-advisory councils

Patient- and family-advisory councils (PFACs) are a patient engagement strategy that involves recruiting and training patients and families to provide feedback and input on various aspects of pediatric care, such as policies, procedures, quality improvement, and education. PFACs can improve patient satisfaction by fostering a culture of partnership and transparency, enhancing the relevance and responsiveness of care, and improving patient outcomes and experiences. Some examples of PFACs activities include reviewing patient satisfaction surveys and complaints, developing patient education materials and programs, and participating in staff orientation and training.

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Rhode Baptiste, MFA MSN RN CPN

Nurse Leader | Designer | Patient Advocate
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In my experience, patient and family advisory councils (PFACs) are highly impactful at promoting more equitable care, for an increasingly diverse patient population. There can be gaps in return rates for patient satisfaction surveys between English-speaking and non-English-speaking patients. Effective strategies to address social determinants of health optimize care delivery. PFACs can improve patient satisfaction, particularly when council members are as diverse as the patient populations being served. As a result, new workflows implemented can more appropriately consider the patients' unique needs more holistically. Patient education materials and programs can more thoughtfully address variances in health literacy for better care quality.

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4 Shared decision-making

Shared decision-making is a communication and decision-making strategy that involves informing patients and families about the benefits and harms of different treatment options, eliciting their preferences and values, and reaching a mutually acceptable decision that aligns with their goals. Shared decision-making can improve patient satisfaction by respecting patient autonomy and preferences, increasing patient knowledge and confidence, and reducing decisional conflict and regret. Some examples of shared decision-making tools include decision aids, such as pamphlets, videos, or web-based applications, that provide evidence-based information and guide patients and families through the decision-making process.

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5 Patient-reported outcome measures

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are a patient feedback strategy that involves collecting and using information from patients and families about their health status, symptoms, functioning, and quality of life. PROMs can improve patient satisfaction by enhancing patient-centered outcomes, facilitating patient-provider communication, and improving care coordination and quality. Some examples of PROMs tools include standardized questionnaires, such as the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory or the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, that can be administered electronically or on paper, before, during, or after a clinical encounter.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best pediatric patient-centered care models to improve patient satisfaction?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Family-centered care

2 Patient- and family-activated rapid response teams

3 Patient- and family-advisory councils

4 Shared decision-making

5 Patient-reported outcome measures

6 Here’s what else to consider

Patient Advocacy

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What are the best pediatric patient-centered care models to improve patient satisfaction?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Family-centered care

2 Patient- and family-activated rapid response teams

3 Patient- and family-advisory councils

4 Shared decision-making

5 Patient-reported outcome measures

6 Here’s what else to consider

Patient Advocacy

Rate this article

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