A Call for Systematic Integration of Family-Focused Care in Clinical Nursing Practice in Europe: A Position Paper.
TL;DR
This position paper addresses inconsistencies in how families are integrated into clinical nursing care and provides direction for practice, education, leadership, policy and research within European healthcare systems.
Abstract
Aim
To highlight the need for a shift to family-focused care and to outline how this transition should be developed and implemented through close collaboration between clinical practice and research.
Design
Position paper.
Method
Members of Family Health in Europe-Research in Nursing (FAME-RN) developed the position paper through an iterative process informed by selected literature, established care models and collective expertise in family nursing. The paper examines distinctions between patient-centred, person-centred, family-centred and family-focused care and considers key barriers, enablers and priorities for implementation across European healthcare settings.
Results
Family-focused care recognises families as essential partners in caring for individuals with severe or chronic conditions across the lifespan, working with families as interconnected systems and as an explicit unit of nursing assessment and intervention rather than solely involving them as individuals in care. The position paper identifies key priorities for implementation including conceptual clarity, systematic family assessment, family-level interventions, education and competence development, organisational leadership, supportive policy, co-design with families and implementation-focused research.
Conclusion
Ensuring that families have access to appropriate information, support and resources enhances caregiving capacity while protecting family health and well-being. Family-focused care should therefore be recognised as a cornerstone of sustainable healthcare. This position paper calls for the systematic integration of family assessments, tailored support models and targeted family interventions across all levels of care, diagnoses and sectors. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND PATIENT CARE Nurses and healthcare organisations should develop the competencies, structures and resources required to assess family needs, involve families appropriately, and provide or facilitate family-level interventions when indicated. IMPACT This position paper addresses inconsistencies in how families are integrated into clinical nursing care and provides direction for practice, education, leadership, policy and research within European healthcare systems. REPORTING
Method
Reported with reference to the RIGHT Statement where applicable. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION A male patient representative, Karsten Andersen, who chairs the user council in a Danish oncology department, and his wife reviewed the manuscript and provided feedback on its relevance and clarity. They particularly emphasised the importance of respecting patient and caregiver autonomy, as well as cultural differences. They also highlighted the need for the healthcare system as a whole, not only nursing, to move towards more family-focused practices.