Child Centered Care vs. Family Centered Care
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) pediatric health care home position statement (NAPNAP, 2009), Public Law 99-457, and the AAP (AAP, 2001) all stress the need to engage and partner with families for optimal outcomes. The differences between child centered care and family centered care is demonstrated below.
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Child Centered Care |
vs. |
Family Centered Care |
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Goal: To take care of the child for the short term |
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Goal: Parental empowerment and child advocacy for the life of the child |
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Child's needs are primary focus |
Family needs to assist the child are the focus |
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Professionals decide on the plan of care |
Family and professionals decide on the plan of care |
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Parent's opinions are not consistently requested |
Parents ideas are requested and valued |
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Families are considered part of a particular group |
Families are all considered to be unique |
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Parents participate as observers |
Parents are considered to be equal members at whatever level they are comfortable |
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Parental differences are judged as not being in the best interest of the child |
Family culture, language, ethnicity, and structure are respected. |
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Test results of the child are the most important factor used to plan care |
Focus is on addressing parental concerns, issues, questions, and their need to assistance in problem-solving |
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One-way communication, professional to parent |
Two-way communication, with parents encouraged to have input into the child care plan |
Reference: Pediatric Primary Care: 5th Edition, by Catherine E. Burns, Ardys M. Dunn, Margaret A. Brady, Nancy Barber Starr, Catherine G. Blosser. Publisher: Elsevier Sanders, at www.Elsevier.com.