Family Centered Care (FCC) Interventions

As a CCLS there are many family-centered care (FCC) interventions that one can facilitate and introduce that are related to educating the patient and family on the disease, managing patient pain, and adhering to treatments for children and adolescents. Providing FCC is an important aspect of the job of a CCLS. FCC is characterized by the inclusion of the patient and family into the healthcare team and treatment options while maintaining the core concepts of FCC (dignity & respect, collaboration, involvement, and information sharing). Three specific medical conditions where these FCC interventions would be beneficial are cystic fibrosis (CF), type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and leukemia. CF is a respiratory disease that causes difficulties

This is a vital part of a CCLS job because it clarifies misconceptions and helps the healthcare team, the patient, and the family to collaborate and work together in the decision-making process. When working with CF patients and their families, it is important to help educate the family on chest physiotherapy (CPT). CPT involves a person using cupped hands and gentle ‘slapping’ motions on the ribcage, in order to break up mucus lining the lungs so that a patient is able to breath easier. Once discharged from the hospital, the patient and his or her family are most likely the ones to perform the daily CPT. CCLSs can use a medical play or preparation session with the patient and his or her family members to educate everyone on how to properly facilitate CPT or any type of airway clearance procedure. Providing literature and other resources to patients and their families at an appropriate developmental/health literacy level is also a way that a CCLS can provide FCC education to patients and families. When working with T1DM patients and their families, it is important to educate the family and patient on proper carbohydrate counting and proper insulin injection procedures. CCLSs can use a medical

In general, CCLSs should advocate for the pain level of the patient to the multidisciplinary health care team to help manage the pain in the hospital and at home through the use of medication and complementary and alternative medicine techniques. For CF patients, CCLSs should teach deep breathing and relaxation techniques to the entire family and the patient so that it can be facilitated at home. Since CF is a lifelong condition with constant pain, CCLSs should educate patients and families on the “Don’t ask, I will tell,” policy so that family members are not constantly reminding a child of the pain and to provide some control to the patient. For T1DM patients and families, CCLSs should provide information on Buzzy the Bee (a bee shaped ice pack that helps to cool/numb the area before an injection) and Tartoos. Families who are able to utilize these options at home may help to reduce the pain of the constant insulin injection that patients with T1DM endure daily. For leukemia patients and families, CCLSs can help to create a coping plan for the pain endured during procedures and pain associated with daily life that involve the family. These coping plans will be individualized to each family and patient based on a number of factors, but are likely to include deep breathing and relaxation techniques as well as some refocusing,