Attitudes of healthcare providers and patients/families toward a family-centered visitation and care program: a qualitative study

Design Patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) often experience severe health complications, which results in restricted ward access and limited family visitation opportunities. This frequently leaves families inadequately informed about the patient’s condition. The Patient and Family-Centered Visitation (PFCV) model promotes a more open and flexible visitation approach, emphasizing patient autonomy and fostering an environment of mutual respect and trust among healthcare providers, patients, and families. Currently, no hospitals in China have implemented a fully family-centered visitation system. Aim To understand the evolving landscape of family-centered visitation in China, this study aimed to explore the advantages, disadvantages, and implementation potential of such a system in clinical practice from the perspectives of healthcare professionals (doctors and nurses), patients, and their families. Results Using a phenomenological qualitative approach, this study involved physicians, nurses, patients, and family members from a tertiary hospital in Lanzhou City. Data were organized and coded using the qualitative analysis software NVivo 11.0 Plus and were subsequently analyzed through Colaizzi’s seven-step method to derive final themes. Conclusion The establishment of a family-centered visitation system in the ICU faces significant challenges related to workforce, environmental constraints, and management. However, opportunities exist for family involvement in certain aspects of patient care. To address these challenges effectively, hospital administration must provide tailored support for implementing a context-appropriate family-centered visitation system.