Objective- The need for patients and family centered care as promoted by patient and family centered care (PFCC) model suggests the active involvement of patients' families and friends in caring for their hospitalized patients by use of collaboration, demonstration of dignity and respect, sharing information, and encouraging participation. Even though there are literatures that investigated the nature and typologies of family care actions that revealed the reasons for family participation, little is known of the influence of religion/spiritualism on this informal caregiving. This qualitative study was set out to explore religious role in promoting family participation in caring for their hospitalised relations.

Methodology/Technique Non-participant observation was employed to study the typology of family care actions in male and female surgical wards of a tertiary institution in Nigeria.

Findings Findings from the study reveals the significant influence of religion in identifying what constitute family care actions in Nigerian hospitals.

Novelty - The benefits of family participation in care were seen to be influenced by the psychological and emotional support a patient requires, however this study reveals the significant religious influence.

Type of Paper: Review

Keywords: , Patient,Family, Religion, Caregiving