Involving parents in managing their child’s long-term condition - a concept synthesis of family-centred care and partnership-in-care

Background Fostering effective engagement, collaboration and empowerment are central to supporting parents caring for children with long-term conditions. Methods A concept synthesis was undertaken to identify the shared antecedents and attributes underpinning models of family-centred care and partnership-in-care. Results Thirty studies were reviewed; antecedents of models related to unclear roles, entrenched professional practices, and lack of guidelines supporting their implementation; with central attributes being building trust, listening to parent concerns and valuing parents’ knowledge of their child. Conclusion The key attributes are outlined in a practical framework of involvement which may promote parent-professional collaboration for families of children with long-term conditions