From family-centred care to humanisation of ICUs: A paediatric lens on future directions
ORCID
- Jos M. Latour: 0000-0002-8087-6461
Abstract
Humanisation in the intensive care unit (ICU) reflects a shift towards care that honours patients’ dignity,emotions, and relational needs while continuing to deliver highly technical treatments in a complexenvironment. Rather than viewing critical care as purely physiological rescue, humanisation initiativesemphasise that the experiences of patients, families, and healthcare professionals are shaped bycommunication, environment, culture, and interpersonal interactions [1]. Among the variousframeworks proposed, the HU-CI (Humanizando los Cuidados Intensivos) model remains the mostfrequently cited [2]. It outlines seven domains for action: effective communication, flexible visitation,patient well-being, staff care, post-intensive care syndrome, humane design of the physical space, andcompassionate end-of-life care. Developed through broad stakeholder engagement, the HU-CIframework offers a practical structure that can be adapted to diverse ICU settings.
DOI Link
Publication Date
2026-04-01
Publication Title
Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Volume
93
ISSN
0964-3397
Acceptance Date
2025-12-15
Deposit Date
2026-05-08
Embargo Period
2026-12-20
Additional Links
Keywords
Family Centered Care, Family Visiting, Humanising Intensive Care, Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care, Staff Well-being
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Poh, P., Gu, Y., & Latour, J. (2026) 'From family-centred care to humanisation of ICUs: A paediatric lens on future directions', Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, 93. Available at: 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104321
This item is under embargo until 20 December 2026
