ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book shows how research has shown the importance of involving families and carers in caring for and in the treatment of their loved ones. It outlines that both family-centred care (FCC) and family-centred practice rest upon seeing the family and patient as a single unit of care in the context that together they should participate in decisions about their own care. Collaborative opportunities with family caregivers as partners in care add to such positive outcomes. Real people and real stories are hugely powerful and meaningful. Within the context of being in hospital numerous opportunities arise to get information about family caring and the impact of illness and care from the perspectives of family caregivers. Interestingly, hospitals are places of work for healthcare professionals and other staff, but for many visitors and relatives, hospitals can feel strange and intimidating.
