Question

A child with a serious chronic illness will soon be discharged home. The case manager requests that the family provide total care for the child for a couple of days while the child is still hospitalized. Based on the principles of family-centered care, which statement addresses this principle?

a. Appropriate because families are usually eager to get involved.
b. Appropriate because it can be beneficial to the transition from hospital to home.
c. Inappropriate because of legal issues when parents care for their children on hospital property.
d. Inappropriate because the family will have to assume the care soon enough and this may increase their stress unnecessarily.

Answer 1

It is appropriate for families to be involved in the care of a hospitalized child preparing for discharge, as it aligns with family-centered care principles and can ease the transition to home care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The request for family-centered care, where the family is asked to provide total care for a child with a serious chronic illness while still hospitalized, is appropriate because it can be beneficial to the transition from hospital to home. This approach to care is in line with the principles of family-centered care, which emphasize the involvement and empowerment of the family in the care process. The involvement of the family can increase the comfort of the patient and ease the eventual transition from hospital care to home care, where family members will undoubtedly continue to be primary caregivers. Moreover, this practice can lead to better preparedness, reduced anxiety about care procedures at home, and enhanced family cohesion.

Research supports the notion that both patients and families benefit from care that includes emotional support from loved ones and encourages the participation of family members in care responsibilities. It has been found that this type of support improves not only the quality of life of the patient but also the coping mechanisms and support systems among family caregivers. Engaging family members prior to discharge allows for a smoother transition and equips them with the necessary skills and knowledge for effective home care.