Family-centered care (FCC) has been promoted as the optimal philosophy for children and families in their interactions with health professionals. Furthermore, FCC is a health care delivery model that seeks to fully involve families in the care of children through an approach that is respectful and supportive. This multisite survey was undertaken to determine the differences in health professionals’ perceptions and practices of FCC and to examine factors that influence those perceptions and practices. Findings revealed that although advances have been made in recognizing the key elements of FCC, difficulties remain in implementing these elements. The “dilemma of helping,” the potential lack of interprofessional collaboration, the design of the health care delivery system, as well as the potential lack of continuing education and mentoring programs are proposed as explanations for these findings.

A study using a qualitative descriptive design was undertaken to explore the issue of "failure to fail" in a nursing program. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with nursing university faculty members, preceptors, and faculty advisors (n=13). Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results indicate that: (a) failing a student is a difficult process; (b) both academic and emotional support are required for students and preceptors and faculty advisors; (c) there are consequences for programs, faculty, and students when a student has failed a placement; (d) at times, personal, professional, and structural reasons exist for failing to fail a student; and (e) the reputation of the professional program can be diminished as a result of failing to fail a student. Recommendations for improving assessment, evaluation, and intervention with a failing student include documentation, communication, and support. These findings have implications for improving the quality of clinical experiences.

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This article explores medical, midwifery, and nurse practitioner students’ attitudes about women who may consume alcohol throughout their pregnancies. Twenty-one health care students responded to a scenario-based vignette addressing alcohol consumption during pregnancy, as well as a semistructured interview, which were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis approach. Two primary themes related to students’ attitudes concerning alcohol consumption during pregnancy were identified: (a) divergent recommendations for different women, based on perceptions of their level of education, culture/ethnicity, and ability to stop drinking; and (b) understanding the social determinants of health, including the normalization of women’s alcohol consumption and potential partner violence. Health care professionals in training need further education about the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). In addition, health care students need training in how to engage in reflective practice to identify their own stereotypical beliefs and attitudes and how these attitudes may affect their practice.