Family-Centered Care As a Western-Centric Model in Developing Countries: Luxury Versus Necessity

Abstract

Family-centered care (FCC) is a model of care that emerged over many years and is broadly defined as promoting a partnership between the parents and health care professionals in the care of the child. Although recognized by many as the ideal way to care for children and families, previous reviews showed a lack of evidence for its efficacy. A recent Cochrane review recommended further rigorous research to assess the model's effect. Other reports emerged to ascertain FCC poor implementation. There is also a paucity of studies investigating the model outside the Western context. This article dissects the literature and provides a comprehensive summary on FCC in the context of limited resources versus best practice. Lessons learned from the literature for the reproducibility of the model in the developing world are provided. Considered a luxury, the autocratic health systems in most of these countries will not easily accept such a model of care except with a greater understanding and support for the model and high-quality research that can guide hospitals, health systems, and policy makers.