Development and initial validation of a family activation measure for acute care.

Background: Activation of a family member refers to their desire, knowledge, confidence, and skills that can inform engagement in healthcare. Family activation combined with opportunity can lead to engagement in care. No tool currently exists to measure family activation in acute care.

Family Participation in Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Rounds: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Observational studies have shown an association between family participation in intensive care unit (ICU) rounds and better family-centred outcomes. However, evidence from randomized studies on the impact of family participation in ICU rounds is lacking. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of a randomized trial for family participation in ICU rounds and obtain preliminary estimates of effect to inform a future effectiveness trial.

Validation of an Instrument to Measure Family Engagement in Acute Cardiac Care.

Background: Engaging families in care leads to improved patient- and family-centreed outcomes and is recommended by cardiovascular societies. However, no validated tools are currently available to measure family engagement in acute cardiac care. We previously described the development of the FAMily Engagement (FAME) instrument.

Patient and Family Representation in Randomized Clinical Trials Published in 3 Medical and Surgical Journals: A Systematic Review.

Importance: Patient and family engagement in research may improve the design, conduct, and dissemination of clinical research, but little is known about whether these stakeholder groups are involved in the design and conduct of randomized clinical trials.

Objective: To characterize the involvement and role of patient and family representatives in the design and conduct of randomized clinical trials by reviewing randomized clinical trials from 3 peer-reviewed medical and surgical journals with high impact factors.

Evidence Review: In this systematic review, the first 50 consecutive randomized clinical trials published on or after January 1, 2021, until September 30, 2021, from each of 3 medical and surgical journals with high impact factors were reviewed for patient or family involvement in trial design and/or conduct.