Best Practice in Provider/Parent Interaction

Abstract

In this 3-year prospective grounded theory study in three pediatric settings, we aimed to develop a conceptualization of best practice health care providers (BPHCPs) in interaction with parents of children with complex, chronic, life-threatening conditions. Analysis of semistructured interviews with 34 parents and 80 health care professionals (HCPs) and 88 observation periods of HCP/parent interactions indicated that BPHCPs shared a broad worldview; values of equity, family-centered care, and integrity; and a commitment to authentic engagement. BPHCPs engaged in direct care activities, in connecting behaviors, and in exquisitely attuning to particularities of the situation in the moment, resulting in positive outcomes for parents and HCPs. By focusing on what HCPs do well, findings showed that not only is it possible for HCPs to practice in this way, but those who do so are also recognized as being the best at what they do. We provide recommendations for practice and initial and ongoing professional education.

“The child is our focus”: On couple issues in child oncology treatment

“…When emotions of the parents or relationship issues surface and might threaten the child, there is a need for an attuned response. Similarly, Davies and colleagues conclude that best practices in psychosocial care for parents of children with life‐threatening conditions are composed of the ability to attune to what is present at the time. An important aspect of this attunement involves timing and spontaneity.…”

Death, dying, and bereavement in undergraduate dental education: A narrative review

“…Thus, we must turn to communication strategies from other contexts. In a study with healthcare providers and parents of children with complex chronic, life‐threatening conditions, it was found that best practices for authentic engagement included the healthcare providers’ persistent curiosity, flexibility, open‐mindedness, self‐awareness, and careful attuning to the particularities of the situation in the present moment 43 . Teaching strategies for effective communication at end of life used with medical and nursing students include case studies, early exposure to bereaved families, early exposure to patients with symptoms, standardized patient encounters, and mock team and family meetings 22 .…”

“…Davies and colleagues suggest that it is not enough to focus on ‘how to’ strategies (e.g., how to give bad news, how to make decisions) for fostering strong communication abilities 43 . Rather, communication skills teaching ought to be accompanied by teaching healthcare professionals how to adapt and respond to situations as they occur, through continuous practice with patients and their families.…”

“…Rather, communication skills teaching ought to be accompanied by teaching healthcare professionals how to adapt and respond to situations as they occur, through continuous practice with patients and their families. They propose the tenets of narrative medicine as a basis for educational programs for healthcare professionals (i.e., learning to listen to and reflect on the stories of patients for an enhanced understand of their current situation), suggesting that authentic listening to patients' stories may be one effective way to improve communication in healthcare practice 43 …”

Best Practices in Neonatal Nursing Care Management

“…The Interactive Domain Model (IDM) defined best health practices as the set of processes and activities that are consistent with health/public health promotion values, goals and ethics, theories and beliefs, evidence, and environment understanding, and are most susceptible to achieving health promotion/public health objectives in a given situation. 4 In the field of neonatology, for example, research brings the implementation of best practices in the interaction between caregivers and parents of children with complex health conditions, chronic and life-threatening diseases, 5 as well as best practices in neonatal nutrition.…”