Family experiences and pediatric health services use associated with family-centered rounds.

BACKGROUND: Family-centered rounds (FCR) are defined as interdisciplinary bedside teaching rounds with active family participation. The objective of this study was to examine the association of FCR with family experiences and health services use. METHODS: Prospective study comparing families with a child admitted to general pediatric inpatient services with and without FCR. The presence of FCR elements was assessed before study enrollment. Study data were obtained by an in-person interview, a follow-up phone interview <1 week after discharge, and medical record review. Family outcomes were informed by Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems measures. Health service use outcomes included hour of discharge, number of medications, and overall charges. Primary analyses included χ(2) and multivariate regression. Secondary analyses by using propensity score matching were performed to account for differences on observed variables. RESULTS: A total of 140 of 203 eligible families were enrolled; 97 completed follow-up surveys (49 on FCR team). Compared with non-FCR, FCR families were more likely to report consistent medical information (P < .001), the option of discussing care plan (P < .001), doctors listening carefully (P < .01), and doctors showing respect (P < .001). No differences were found in number of medications (mean 2.4 vs 2.9, P = .26) or discharge time (mean 3:06 pm versus 2:43 pm, P = .39). No difference was found for hospital charges after adjusting for length of stay outliers. CONCLUSIONS: FCR are associated with higher parent satisfaction, consistent medical information, and care plan discussion, with no additional burden to health service use. Additional studies should assess FCR under different settings of care.

Medical student self-efficacy with family-centered care during bedside rounds.

PURPOSE: Factors that support self-efficacy in family-centered care (FCC) must be understood in order to foster FCC in trainees. Using social cognitive theory, the authors examined (1) how three supportive experiences (observing role models, practicing for mastery, and receiving feedback) influence self-efficacy with FCC during rounds and (2) whether the influence of these supportive experiences was mediated by self-efficacy with three key FCC tasks (relationship building, information exchange, and decision making). METHOD: Researchers surveyed third-year students during pediatric clerkship rotations during the 2008-2011 academic years. Surveys assessed supportive experiences and students' self-efficacy both with FCC during rounds and with key FCC tasks. Researchers constructed measurement models via exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Composite indicator structural equation models evaluated whether supportive experiences influenced self-efficacy with FCC during rounds and whether self-efficacy with key FCC tasks mediated any such influences. RESULTS: Of 184 eligible students, 172 (93%) completed preclerkship surveys. Observing role models and practicing for mastery supported self-efficacy with FCC during rounds (each P < .01), whereas receiving feedback did not. Self-efficacy with two specific FCC tasks-relationship building and decision making (each P < .05)-mediated the effects of these two supportive experiences on self-efficacy with FCC during rounds. CONCLUSIONS: Both observing role models and practicing for mastery foster students' self-efficacy with FCC during rounds, operating through self-efficacy with key FCC tasks. Results suggest the importance both of helping students gain self-efficacy in key FCC tasks before rounds and of helping educators implement supportive experiences during rounds.

Medical student outcomes after family-centered bedside rounds.

OBJECTIVE: Family-centered bedside rounds (FCBRs) are recommended to improve trainee education, patient outcomes, and family satisfaction. However, bedside teaching has waned in recent years, potentially leading to less teaching and more concern for trainees. We examined medical students' concerns, teaching evaluations, and attitudes after experiencing FCBRs during the pediatric clerkship. METHODS: Data are both cross-sectional and pre-clerkship and post-clerkship surveys for 113 (89%) of 127 students. Students reported frequencies of post-clerkship concerns (14 items) and teaching experiences (17 items), with 5 response options (1 = never, 2 = rarely, 3 = occasionally, 4 = usually, 5 = always, dichotomized with "frequent" being usually or occasionally). Students reported pre-clerkship and post-clerkship attitudes for 4 items on a 7-point scale (1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree). Analyses included adjusted means or proportions. RESULTS: The most commonly endorsed concern was presenting information in a way that was understandable to patients and families, with 34.5% of students having this concern frequently. The majority of students frequently experienced 12 of 17 teaching items. Effective teaching of physical exam skills was the teaching item least often experienced frequently by students (20.3%). Student attitudes about the benefits of FCBRs for families were significantly more positive post-clerkship (mean change, 0.37 points; P < .001), but they remained neutral in their preference for FCBRs over traditional rounds without the family present (mean change, -0.14 points; P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Although students demonstrate positive attitudes toward FCBRs and report frequent occurrence of inpatient teaching elements, findings suggest opportunities for easing student concerns and for using this venue to teach exam skills.

Family-centered rounds on pediatric wards: a PRIS network survey of US and Canadian hospitalists.

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to examine pediatric hospitalist rounding practices and characteristics associated with programs conducting family-centered rounds (FCRs). METHODS: The Pediatric Hospitalist Triennial Survey, sent to a subset of pediatric hospitalists on the Pediatric Research in Inpatient Settings listserv from the United States and Canada, consisted of 63 questions on sociodemographic characteristics, training, practice characteristics, and rounding practices. RESULTS: Among 265 respondents (response rate: 70%), 78% practiced in academic hospitals and 22% in nonacademic hospitals. The prevalences of specific rounding categories were as follows: FCRs, 44%; sit-down, 24%; hallway, 21%; others, 11%. FCRs occurred significantly more often in academic (48%) than nonacademic (31%) hospitals (P = .04). FCRs can include pediatric residents, bedside nurses, charge nurses, case managers, pharmacists, and social workers. Academic settings and higher average daily patient censuses, but not FCRs, were significantly associated with prolonged rounding duration. The most commonly perceived FCR benefits included increased family involvement and understanding, trainee role modeling, and effective team communication. Physical constraints, trainees' apprehensions, and time were the main perceived FCR barriers. Greater perceived benefit/barrier ratios, FCR benefits, and family involvement in care were associated with a greater likelihood of conducting FCRs, whereas a greater number of perceived FCR barriers was associated with not conducting FCRs. CONCLUSIONS: FCRs were the most-common rounding category among respondents. FCRs were not associated with a self-reported increase in rounding duration. Successful FCR implementation may require educating staff members and trainees about FCR benefits and addressing FCR barriers.

Facilities and equipment for the care of pediatric patients in a community hospital.

Many children who require hospitalization are admitted to community hospitals that are more accessible for families and their primary care physicians but vary substantially in their pediatric resources. The intent of this clinical report is to provide basic guidelines for furnishing and equipping a pediatric area in a community hospital.