The Family-Centred Cardiac Arrest Project

Background: Cardiac arrest is a sudden, life-threatening emergency that affects not only patients but also their families. Despite advances in resuscitation science, family needs during and after cardiac arrest are often overlooked in clinical practice and research. Family-centred care (FCC) is increasingly recognized as essential to high-quality healthcare, yet its integration into cardiac arrest care is inconsistent. This research, the *Family-Centred Cardiac Arrest Project*, examines the care needs of families experiencing cardiac arrest and aims to co-develop evidence-based strategies to enhance family support throughout the care continuum. Methods: Using a multiple-methods approach, this study includes a scoping review, meta-synthesis, qualitative document analysis, and a co-design (study. The scoping review maps existing literature on family experiences and needs. The meta-synthesis synthesizes qualitative findings across studies. Document analysis evaluates policies and clinical guidelines, identifying gaps. Finally, the co-design study engages survivors, families, and healthcare professionals as co-researchers to collaboratively design practical interventions and policy recommendations. Results: The scoping review identified ten key family care needs within five domains: (1) focus on the resuscitated individual, (2) collaboration between families and the resuscitation team, (3) consideration of family-specific contexts, (4) post-resuscitation support, and (5) integration of family-centred policies. The meta-synthesis reinforced these themes, revealing that families often feel excluded from decision-making. Document analysis exposed inconsistent policies regarding family inclusion. The co-design study led to actionable strategies, including structured communication protocols, decision-support tools, and bereavement resources. Findings emphasized the need for compassionate communication, real-time updates, and structured follow-up care. Contributions to Knowledge: This research positions families as key stakeholders in cardiac arrest care. It introduces a structured framework for family-centred cardiac arrest care, developed through survivor- and family-led research. The study demonstrates the feasibility of EBCD in generating patient- and family-informed improvements. It also identifies policy and practice gaps, highlighting the need for systemic changes to better support families throughout the resuscitation journey. Implications for Practice, Policy, and Research: Clinically, this research supports integrating standardized communication protocols into emergency and critical care. At a policy level, it calls for formalized guidelines embedding FCC principles into cardiac arrest management. Future research should focus on evaluating the implementation and impact of family-centred interventions across healthcare settings. Conclusion: The *Family-Centred Cardiac Arrest Project* highlights the profound impact of cardiac arrest on families and offers co-designed, evidence-based solutions. By integrating FCC principles into resuscitation care, healthcare systems can shift from a patient-centric to a holistic model that recognizes families as co-survivors and essential care partners.