Position statement of the international network for child and family centered care: Child and family Centred care during the COVID19 pandemic

Abstract

It is the position of the International Network for Child and Family Centered Care (INCFCC) that COVID19 restrictions pose tremendous challenges for the health care team in their efforts to provide child and family centered care (CFCC). COVID-19 restrictions impact on the family's right to be presernt with their ill child and to contribute to the caring process. A limited number of articles have discussed challenges about the successful delivery of CFCC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on current literature, the INCFCC stresses the need for continuous facilitation implementation of child and family centred care as, it is essential for children's physical and psychological wellbeing. Furthermore we believe that the families' presence and participation holds more benefits than risks to the health of children, their families, and the health care team.

Position.

It is the position of the International Network for Child and Family Centered Care (INCFCC) that COVID19 restrictions pose tremendous challenges for the health care team in their efforts to provide child and family centered care (CFCC). COVID-19 restrictions impact on the family's right to be presernt with their ill child and to contribute to the caring process. A limited number of articles have discussed challenges about the successful delivery of CFCC during the COVID-19 pandemic, namely shortage of personnel, failure to integrate technology into care, and adhering to strict regulations made by various authorities ( Frampton et al., 2020; Murray and Swanson, 2020; Raphael et al., 2021). Based on current literature, the INCFCC stresses the need for continuous facilitation implementation of child and family centred care as, it is essential for children's physical and psychological wellbeing. Furthermore we believe that the families' presence and participation holds more benefits than risks to the health of children, their families, and the health care team. Our position reflects the underpinning philosophical stance of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) (2021) and the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (2021). Where children are concerned, decision makers should not only consider the risks of family presence, but also the risks of their absence. Therefore the INCFCC recommends that health care organizations support CFCC and advise on strategies to reduce the barriers that arise with COVID19 restrictions. It is the general presumption that family involvement during this pandemic carries additional challenges beyond those that already exist with CFCC. To address this issue, it is important to start with the shared goals of all members of the health care team. The Position Statement presented in this article is consistent with the World Health Organization (WHO) whose recommendations emphasize that, “All countries must strike a fine balance between protecting health, minimizing economic and social disruption, and respecting human rights” (WHO, 2020, p.1).