FAMILY TREE (GENOGRAM)
The family
tree (genogram) is a simple and very useful tool to promote
discussion at a family meeting, or with an individual patient.
It also serves as a useful record in the clinical notes.
Drawing a
genogram should be a routine part of the initial assessment of
a patient. It focuses the attention of the carers on the
family as the unit of care, and can remind a patient of the
family support available.
Important
and relevant information almost always emerges when a family
tree is used.
This may include:
-
Fears
(Who died of cancer?)
-
Hopes
(Whom do you want to see?)
-
Unfinished business (Whom do you feel close to?)
|
FAMILY TREE
This relatively simple family tree might lead to
consideration and discussion of the following
information and issues:
-
Father died of cancer (Does it “run in the family”?)
-
Mother is frail (“Should we tell her?”)
-
Brother lives abroad (“When should he come
home?”)
-
Husband’s first wife died of cancer (“She was in
terrible pain.”)
-
First grandchild expected in four months (“Will I
live?”)
-
Son
is “never at home these days”
-
Step-daughter is estranged
|
|
— KEY FOR DRAWING A FAMILY TREE —
Keep each generation on its own line
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The author and publisher have taken
precautions to ensure that the information in this book is
error-free. However, readers must be guided by their own
personal and professional standards of good practice in
evaluating and applying recommendations made herein. The
contents of this book represent the views and experience of
the author, and not necessarily those of the publisher.
