To identify, appraise and describe the characteristics and measurement properties of instruments assessing Family Focused Care in nursing clinical practice using COSMIN criteria.
A systematic review based on COSMIN methodology.
Methodological quality was assessed using COSMIN methodology and evidence quality using the GRADE approach modified by COSMIN.
The databases PubMed, CINAHL, COCHRANE, Web of Science and SCOPUS were systematically searched from inception until September 2024.
A total of 47 studies and 15 instruments evaluating Family Focused Care were included. Seven were designed for measuring professional's perspective, six for family's and two for both. Three instruments, the Family Nursing Practice Scale (FNPS), the Iceland Family Perceived Support Questionnaire (ICE-FPSQ) and the Perception of Family Centred Care Staff and Parents (PFCC-S/P), exhibited the highest methodological quality and robust psychometric properties, including internal consistency, structural validity, reliability and content validity.
The FNPS, the ICE-FPSQ and the PFCC-S/P questionnaires were identified as the most suitable instruments to assess Family Focused Care. Future research should rigorously evaluate their psychometric properties.
This review provides insight into available instruments for measuring Family Focused Care, helping professionals choose the most suitable tools to enhance family involvement, align care with family needs, and improve patient outcomes and family well-being.
Given that the psychometric properties of instruments measuring Family Focused Care have not been systematically assessed, the present review utilised comprehensive methods according to COSMIN.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
PRISMA statement and COSMIN reporting guideline for studies on measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures.
This systematic review has been registered at the International Prospective REGISTER of Systematic Review (PROSPERO: CRD42022315249).