Facilitating Family‐Centred Care at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit: Implementation of a Co‐Created Bedside Family Board

BACKGROUND: Bedside boards are used in various healthcare settings to support communication but their additional value in facilitating family-centred care (FCC) in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) has not been systematically studied. AIMS: To evaluate the implementation process of a co-created bedside family board (FB) and assess its effectivity and effectiveness to guide FCC six months following its implementation in the PICU. STUDY DESIGN: Hybrid effectiveness-implementation design type 2, using validated questionnaires, structured observations and self-report surveys complemented by two focus groups and an interview. RESULTS: Validated questionnaires indicated high acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility of the FB. Qualitative data highlighted the need for ongoing awareness and integration into daily workflows. Effectivity measures showed that the FB accurately reflected child and family needs, although some items of the FB were used inconsistently, and their relevance varied by developmental stage. Effectiveness results demonstrated that the FB facilitated the inclusion of family perspectives in care planning and shared goal setting, thereby promoting FCC. Professionals and families valued the FB for making care more personal, aligning care with the child's preferences and family experiences, guiding family education and supporting care transitions. CONCLUSION: The FB demonstrated to be a practical and effective tool for enriching FCC in the PICU. It standardises the recording and sharing of child and family needs while allowing personalisation. Embedding the FB into standard workflows, sharing responsibility across the interprofessional team including families, and tailoring it to the child's developmental stage, condition and family context are essential for sustained use. RELEVANCE TO PRACTICE: A FB empowers families, fosters shared understanding of care goals and enriches collaboration in paediatric critical care settings. Successful implementation requires co-creation, contextual tailoring, integration with existing processes and ongoing training to maintain engagement.