Family centered care in pediatrics: redefining relationships

Abstract

This article aims to present and stimulate reflections about Family Centered Care in Pediatrics. The central element of this care approach is the relationship between families and health professionals, which should be founded on partnership, collaboration and negotiation. Family participation in child care is recognized as essential to meet the needs of the child and the welfare of the whole family. The Family Centered Care has been regarded as the ideal model for care in many pediatric studies, however, still is not so prevalent in health services, especially in the national scenario. The historical review, conceptual and pragmatic considerations developed in this study provide reflections that regard to historical and social construction of Family Centered Care, the theoretical framework of the model and the challenge for its implementation. Regarding the practice of nursing there is a need to redefine the relationships established between families and professionals to enable the Family Centered Care to be implemented in clinical practice.