Perceptions and Practice of Information Sharing in Family-Centred Care among Nurses in Children’s Hospitals in Delta State, Nigeria

This study examined the perceptions and practice of information-sharing among nurses in family-centred care (FCC) in children’s hospitals in Delta State, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. The population consisted of 406 nurses working in paediatric units of the 52 public general hospitals in Delta State. A sample size of 210 was used in the study. A bi-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents from 30 randomly chosen hospitals across the three senatorial districts. The researchers collected data using a validated researchers-developed “Perception and Practice of Family-Centred Care among Nurses Questionnaire” (PPFCCNQ), with reliability coefficients of 0.73 and 0.80 respectively. Data analysis was conducted using means and standard deviations to answer the research questions, while independent t-test was used to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that nurses had generally positive perceptions towards FCC, and practised information sharing to a high extent. Experienced nurses reported significantly more favourable perceptions (t = 2.78, p = 0.006) and stronger information-sharing practices (t = 2.592, p = 0.010) than less-experienced nurses. Strengths included active engagement with families, regular updates, clear language use, and interprofessional collaboration, while limitations included inconsistent integration of families into care planning and limited provision of educational materials. Based on the findings, the recommendations made include that hospital management should constitute a multidisciplinary team to draft FCC guidelines that align with global standards while reflecting local realities. Once developed, the guidelines should be compiled into manuals for staff use, circulated through digital platforms for wider accessibility, and prominently displayed across all paediatric units. This will provide a consistent framework for family engagement, ensuring clarity of expectations and uniformity of practice throughout the hospital system.