1. Clearly identifies theory/model & concepts as related to family. Demonstrates synthesis of knowledge related to theory/mod.
Connections between chronic illness and families are linked to the ideas of the family health models. There are multiple clinical family assessment models that can be used in practice. Not only can family assessment models be used to assess the structure of a family, they can also be used to evaluate the function and roles of individual members.
2. Strengths & limitations for each theory/model clearly identified and defined. Comparison clear and comprehensive.
A few models that are popular include the Calgary Family Assessment (CFAM) (Wright and Leahey, 2009), Family Assessment and Intervention Model (Kaakinen, Hanson, & Denham, 2010), Friedman Family Assessment Model (Friedman, 1998) , and the Family Capacity Model.
It can be argue that the two most popular among them are the Calgary family health model and the family health model by Denham.
These two family health models assess family structure function and roles. They cover the families needs, goals, and aspirations and uncover the family’s support system and outside resources. Though they both are different in the way they cam about, the scope of their assessments, the type of data collected and the units the data is analyzed in, there are similarities. The assessments are both tools that are available to broaden the knowledge base of health care professionals. Using the tools of the family assessment models, these clinicians will be able to determine and help manage physiologic and psychologic health threats to individuals within the family.
In the Calgary Family Assessment Model, Wright and Leahey (2009) propose
that family developmental assessment includes an overview of the stages, tasks,
and attachments that are important to each stage (DeNisco, n.d.).
The family health is viewed as a process over time of family member interactions and health-related behaviors. Family health is described in relation to contextual, functional, an structural domains. Dynamic family health routines are behavioral patterns that reflect self-care, safety and prevention, mental health behaviors, family care, illness care and family care-giving (Hanson, Gedaly-Duff, & Kaakinen, 2005).
3. Succinct, comprehensive discussion of family case study. Well defined application of theory/model to this case, including all concepts and 4. Description of own clinical practice and integration of theory/model. Demonstrates sound synthesis of concepts and transition to practice.
The family health model that would be integrated into an owned practice would be that of the Denham family health model. This model considers the aspects that make up what influences developing individuals. Contextual, structural, and functional are the three domains that are used by the health care professionals in order to evaluate the outcomes of patients. Theses domains are used in the process of creating a plan in order to help the individuals and family as a whole cope with the issues they are facing. Integrating this method of assessment in a practice is important because practitioners often overlook viewing the family as a units in addition to attending to each individual.
For example, we could look at a family such as the Johnson family. The Johnson family has 4 members: a mother, father, son, and daughter. The Johnson as a unit eat very unhealthily and have very bad eating and exercise habits. As a health care professional using the Denham model, one can help the family find a plan to get healthier individually and as a group.
The Denham family health model includes family theory. The methods in this theory include describing and being able to explain the family’s framework, dynamics, change, and process. The health care professional, using this model will be able to explain to the family what actions are causing them to continue eating unhealthily and to continue to not exercise. Also, the practitioner must have the ability to describe the emotional and interpersonal connections between the members of the family unit. The Denham model will help the health care professional inform the family of the emotional connection they have with food and the emotional connection each of them have with the food they ingest. Shedding a light on their interpersonal connections is also a great opportunity for the health care professional to encourage the family members to motivate each other on their path towards changing their actions and behaviors. The health professional using the theory should be able to show the connection between each individual and the culture of the family and their surroundings. Using the model, the health care professional will be able to expose the link between the family’s current attitudes and the social norms of the environment in which they live. Each family member should have their own identities and be able to clearly differentiate themselves from the other members of the unit. It is important for the health care professional to realize that though the family collectively shows The health care provider should be able to accurately relay health and pathology issues with members of the family and inform them of strategic therapies that will help cope with periods of dysfunction, grief, and illness. These are aspects of their interpersonal relationships that may already be present or may be present in the future if the family (or individual members of the family) choose(s) not to better their health.
It is important that the health professionals are able to view the entire family, as well as it’s members individually. In this way, a practice will be able to better meet the needs of the patients they are serving.
- DeNisco, S. M. (n.d.). The Nurse Practitioner– Patient Relationship [PDF]. Jones & Bartlett.
- Hanson, S. M., Gedaly-Duff, V., & Kaakinen, J. R. (2005). Family health care nursing: Theory, practice, and research. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
- International Family Nursing Association. (n.d.). Family Health Model. Retrieved January 27, 2016, from http://internationalfamilynursing.org/2015/01/30/family-health-model/
