Recent evidence on the development and maintenance of constructive staff-family relationships in the care of older people--a report on a systematic review update.

AIM This paper is an update to a systematic review that presents the best available evidence on the factors that are most effective in promoting constructive staff-family relationships in the care of older people in the institutional healthcare setting. METHODS Systematic review. RESULTS The updated review supports findings from the earlier review. Additional evidence points to the importance of monitoring care, family involvement in decision-making, staff upholding the uniqueness of the older person, trust, the involvement of the multidisciplinary care team and family dynamics as factors underpinning effective staff-family relationships. CONCLUSION A number of factors critical to the development and maintenance of positive staff-family relationships in the institutional setting have been identified. The delivery of quality care is predicated on staff having an understanding of these factors.