Abstract

EMMAMALLY, W  and  BRYSIEWICZ, P. Family-centred practices of healthcare professionals in three emergency departments in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. South. Afr. j. crit. care (Online) [online]. 2018, vol.34, n.2, pp.38-43. ISSN 2078-676X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/sajcc.201.v34i2.358.

BACKGROUND: Emergency healthcare professionals can practise family-centred care (FCC) by engaging in active partnerships with families. In a chaotic environment, which challenges communication and supportive behaviours, responding to and acknowledging families' individuality enhance positive family outcomes OBJECTIVE: To describe the adherence of emergency healthcare professionals to family-centred practices in some emergency departments in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa METHODS: A quantitative survey was conducted among healthcare professionals in three emergency departments. A previously published checklist was used to collect data on adherence to relational and participatory family-centred practices RESULTS: A total of 77 completed questionnaires were received from the 79 participants surveyed, giving a response rate of 97.5%. Analysis showed that healthcare professionals endeavour to practise FCC, but that their implementation of practice indicators of family-centred care is inconsistent. Results suggested that healthcare professionals used relational practices to a larger extent than participatory practices CONCLUSION: In the emergency department, collaboration and partnering with families should be emphasised to ensure that principles of FCC are practised as a standard

Keywords : Family; health care professionals; emergency department; relational practices; participatory practices.

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