Affiliation:
1. Department of Psychology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain
2. Faculty of Psychology, University of Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain
Abstract
Early childhood intervention is crucial for the development of minors with disabilities or at risk. Family-centred planning (FCP), which involves families in care, stands out in this context. Despite its importance, little is known about professionals’ experiences of its implementation. FCP aims to tailor services to the needs of the family and the child within the Spanish health system. This study highlights the importance of assessing professionals’ perceptions of FCP. Professionals rooted in traditional approaches may resist change. To assess the implementation of FCPs, the study explores the perspectives of 25 healthcare professionals using qualitative methods to assess their experiences. The qualitative descriptive phenomenological design, following Giorgi’s modified Husserlian approach, seeks to understand the essence of the phenomenon from the participants’ perspective. Two main themes emerged: (1) a social and work organization that perpetuates rehabilitation or early stimulation practices and (2) a socio-family and work organization that promotes FCP adherence, along with subthemes and units of meaning. The evaluation reveals common challenges, such as the need for solid training and institutional support. Evaluating the experience of professionals is essential to overcome barriers and ensure the successful implementation of FCPs. Administrators have an important role to play in providing social, health, and educational alternatives.
Subject
Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
Reference22 articles.
1. Meta-analysis of family-centered helpgiving practices research;Dunst;Ment. Retard. Dev. Disabil. Res. Rev.,2007
2. Family-centred early intervention: Comparing practitioners’ actual and desired practices;Mas;Child Care Health Dev.,2021
3. Influences of Family-Systems Intervention Practices on Parent-Child Interactions and Child Development;Trivette;Top. Early Child. Spéc. Educ.,2010
4. Balcells-Balcells, A., Mas, J.M., Baqués, N., Simón, C., and García-Ventura, S. (2020). The Spanish Family Quality of Life Scales under and over 18 Years Old: Psychometric Properties and Families’ Perceptions. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17.
5. Early childhood intervention practitioners’ competence and confidence appraisals using recommended practices and relationship with parent involvement;Mas;An. Psicol./Ann. Psychol.,2023