Parents’ perception of family-centered care in the pediatric intensive care unit: a systematic review of qualitative studies

ObjectivesTo identify parents’ perception of Family-Centered Care in the PICU.MethodsSystematic review of qualitative studies with searches in Pubmed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scielo and Google Scholar. The evaluation of the methodological quality of the included studies was carried out using the Qualitative Evaluation and Review Instrument of the JBI. Data were extracted using the standardized data extraction tool JBI. Data synthesis was performed according to the JBI metaaggregation approach. The confidence level for each synthesized finding was established based on ConQual.Results1230 articles resulted from the search in the databases. After analysis and exclusions, 28 studies remained. The methodological quality of the included studies was moderate to high. 25 studies were included in the meta-aggregation, resulting in 133 findings, 22 categories, and six synthesized findings. The confidence index of the findings was moderate to high. In most of the findings, the parents perceived and valued the welcoming of the team, the clear and honest information, support and encouragement to participate in the care. The change in the parental role is a factor that impacts the parents’ coping.ConclusionsParents’ perceptions highlight the importance of Family-Centered Care (FCC) in the pediatric ICU for promoting welcoming, active participation, and reduced family anxiety. Consistent implementation of FCC contributes to better outcomes for children, families, and healthcare professionals, emphasizing the need for strategies to overcome barriers and foster more humanized and equitable care.Implications for clinical practiceFor care to be truly family-centered, it is essential to invest in the continuous training of professionals and in the implementation of policies that promote the active involvement of family members. Adaptations to the physical environment are crucial to ensure privacy and a welcoming environment, respecting the particularities and needs of each family.