This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:

The primary objective of this review is to assess the effects of family‐centred models of care for hospitalised children when compared to standard or professionally‐centred models of care, on child, family and health service outcomes.

A secondary objective of this review is to assess whether the effects of family‐centred models of care for hospitalised children, when compared to standard or professionally‐centred models, differ according to:

(1) Degree of family‐centredness
High degree of family‐centred care, ie. scores for family‐centredness of 70 or greater (see Methods section for description of ratings).

(2) Population of children:

• premature infants being cared for in a neonatal intensive care or special care nursery;

• children admitted to hospital in the period from discharge after birth episode to 5 years of age;

• children admitted to hospital from 6 to 12 years of age;

• children admitted to hospital for surgery;

• children with a chronic health condition (ie. a physical, mental, emotional, behavioural, or developmental disorder expected to last 12 months or longer, or having sequelae that last 12 months or longer, and requiring treatment and/or monitoring (Gay 1997).

Due to the complex nature of family‐centred care and the heterogeneity of possible interventions, it is difficult to pre‐specify which comparisons will be possible. Therefore, a decision about comparison groups will be reached through consensus between the review team and the Cochrane Consumers and Communication Review Group editorial team after the final search is completed. Depending on the outcome, it may be necessary to revise the protocol.