Family Integrated Care

Advancements in medicine and technology mean more children are surviving life-threatening illnesses. However, survivors often experience long-term impacts and require frequent re-hospitalizations and outpatient care.

Children and youth with medical complexities (CYMC) account for less than 1% of all kids, yet more than 30% of pediatric healthcare costs.

Family Integrated Care (FICare) is a validated model of care — adopted across Alberta neonatal intensive care units — that improves outcomes for patients, caregivers, and the healthcare system. The model supports and empowers parents/guardians to be active participants in their child’s treatment and teaches medical care providers to embrace the knowledge and direction of those who know the child best.

The FICare model will be adapted to implement and evaluate its effectiveness in inpatient units at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. This adaptation aims to decrease the length of hospital stays and emergency visits for CYMCs, reduce staff burnout and parent/guardian stress, and increase both organizational effectiveness and quality of life for families.

For more information about the FICare model and how you can support this opportunity, please email us!