Patient and family-centered concerns in pediatric cardiac surgery: a Middle Eastern perspective

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease affects approximately 1% of live births worldwide and remains among the most significant contributors to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Approximately half of them require surgical or percutaneous interventions at some stage. Patient care involves critical situations including clinical, psychological, social, regional, and cultural practices. Family and patients go through stressful experiences. Through this review, we aim to highlight issues faced by the patients or their families during management of complex cardiac conditions and hope that medical personnel, health authorities and institutions will benefit from the information provided. This will result in a better patient experience and outcomes. METHOD: To identify patient and family concerns, this narrative review is based on daily observations and literature reviews (Google, Google Scholar, PubMed) between 2013 and 2026, and regional perspectives. Key areas included parental and patient stress, communication breakdowns, health care coverage, regional cultural influence, family dynamics, and socio-economic considerations. RESULTS: Patient-centered concerns in pediatric cardiac surgery include clinical, psychological, socioeconomic, and regional factors. In addition, communication, stress, interruptions in education or employment, funding, and logistics also influence patient's experience. Effective interprofessional care, psychosocial counseling, finding ways to support the cost of treatment, and appropriate use of technology can foster a better patient experience. This is particularly imperative in the Middle East region, where family cohesion, religious beliefs, language diversity, and healthcare inequities shape the recovery path. CONCLUSIONS: Our review shows that pediatric cardiac care requires a multidimensional, culturally attuned model that incorporates interprofessional care, empathy, innovation, community support, and system-level solutions involving various professional agencies in health insurance, finance, hospital management, research, and medical education. In addition, healthcare communication, access, support, cultural and spiritual identity plays a significant role in shaping patient and family experience during medical management.