Patient Experience Journal (Apr 2020)
The little things: Exploring perceptions and experiences of client and family-centred care through photovoice
Abstract
Healthcare in Canada is undergoing a paradigm shift, moving away from a prescriptive approach to care delivery to one that prioritizes clients and their families at the center of their care. In the homecare sector, this approach is commonly referred to as client- and family-centred care (CFCC), a philosophy emphasizing the need for point-of-care providers to partner with those receiving care and their families in a way that is respectful and attuned to their individual needs and goals. This philosophy helps homecare agencies like VHA Home HealthCare deliver care to families that embraces what is most important to them. At VHA Home HealthCare, CFCC is well established through education sessions delivered to staff. Despite these efforts, there is limited evidence to confirm whether this education aligns with what is important to clients and families. To address this gap, this study engaged a unique homecare population - parents of children with complex medical needs - to understand how they experience and perceive CFCC using an arts-based approach called photovoice. Through participants’ photographs and in-depth interviews, seven core themes were identified which we refer to as ‘the little things’ of CFCC. Results of our exploration show that in some cases there is alignment between parents’ perceptions of CFCC and the organization’s, but there are also many gaps that could be filled by incorporating the unique voices of participants into the organization’s educational curriculum. Experience Framework This article is associated with the Patient, Family & Community Engagement lens of The Beryl Institute Experience Framework. (http://bit.ly/ExperienceFramework) Access other PXJ articles related to this lens. Access other resources related to this lens.
