TOPIC: This article describes the components of child- and family-centered care, including a review of the literature about the delivery of family-centered care and the barriers that often prevent the provision of such care. The article describes an inpatient child psychiatric unit that has implemented an approach to care that embraces these principles. The changes in structures and policies that the unit adopted are described, with specific examples cited as illustrations of the components of this care.

PURPOSE: To describe the elements of child- and family-centered care and the ways in which this model of care may be implemented on inpatient child psychiatric units.

SOURCES USED: Literature review including journal reports and articles and books.

CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary outcomes are encouraging in the decrease in use of practices such as restraint and seclusion, and physical holds. Further research examining parents' satisfaction is warranted in determining the success of such endeavors.