Does patient- and family-centered care take more time?
Implementing a patient- and family-centered approach does require an up-front investment in relationship building. Staff must have opportunities to explore how they currently interact with patients and families, to discuss and reflect on the value of collaborative approaches, and to build new knowledge and skills. For family-centered care to be effectively implemented in any healthcare setting, the staff must honestly assess how they are currently treating their patients and how this can change. Just undertaking this honest assessment is very valuable for the institution. Patients and families, who are more accustomed to being passive recipients of care, will require time and training to learn new skills and strategies to become active participants in care and decision-making. Patients and family members who will play key roles on hospital committees or task forces will need training and mentoring . The time it takes to build these partnerships and acquire appropriate knowledge and ski
