A Note on Client and Family Centered Care

A client and family centered approach is expected in service provision:

Client & Family-Centered

Expert offers knowledge, expertise, and recommendations; client is responsible for analyzing and evaluating information offered by expert and making informed decisions about their own care. Clients, as well as their families and care partners, may expect to be closely involved in their care, including decision-making processes and formal decisions.

Expert Focused

Expert is responsible for imparting knowledge and making decisions; client is responsible for accepting the knowledge shared and decisions made about their care by the expert.

In client and family centered care, clients and families define their ‘family’ and determine how they will participate in care and decision-making.

Practicing client and family centered care requires the following skills, knowledge, and attitudes:

Engaging in active listening.

Listening to, including, and honoring client and family knowledge, diversity, strengths, values, and beliefs in the planning and delivery of care.

Communicating and sharing complete, accurate, and unbiased information in a timely manner; and in ways that promote understanding by the client and their family.

Encouraging and supporting clients and their families to participate in care and decision-making at the level they choose.

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