Family-Centred Care and the Expectancy-Value Theory: Luxury or Necessity

As a popular tenant underpinning paediatric health service provision, the ability of health professionals to achieve Family-Centred Care (FCC) is often questioned. A major factor has been the judgmental attitudes and behaviour of health professionals. According to expectancy-value theory, individuals' behavioural decisions are based on their attitudes and beliefs. In this sense, this study assessed the hypothesis: when necessity beliefs (beliefs and attitudes) rise, the actual implementation of FCC components (behavioural decisions) will improve. Using a correlation design, the study measured staff perceived self-reported implementation of FCC in their practice and their necessity beliefs of its core components using a modified questionnaire. Outcomes of 65 questionnaires revealed an overall mean of self reported implementation of 2.37/5.0 (SD = 0.57) and an overall mean of necessity beliefs of 3.06/5.0 (SD = 1.04). A significant moderate correlation (Spearman's rho (64) = -0.4, p < 0.001) indicated that professionals better practiced FCC components they favourably perceived necessary. It is recommended that policymakers should focus on changing attitudes of professionals towards FCC elements. The outcomes suggest that education that positively influences the attitudes and beliefs of health professionals may facilitate the involvement of families, and subsequently, better health outcomes for children.