Family Systems
When something happens to one member of the family, all members are affected.

• Dignity and Respect :  Giving value to patient and family member perspectives, beliefs and cultural backgrounds. 

• Information Sharing:  Including patients and family members in communication and opportunities to make decisions.

• Participation:  Including patients and family members as team members. 

• Collaboration: Partnering with patients and family members to promote improvements and change in care,  policy, and services. 

• (www.ipfcc.org/about/pfcc.html)

Development and coping is affected by overlapping influences from environmental factors. 

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Ecological and environmental stressors can include: 

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• ​Race

• Socioeconomics

•  ACES or adverse childhood experiences

• Gender

• Mental illness

• Employment

• Neighborhood/Community

• Government

(Christensen, J., 2016). 

Family Structure - Members of the family and their personal style of interaction.

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Family Interactions - Types of connection, rules and communication styles. 

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Family functions - Ways families respond and reacts to needs

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Family life cycle - How the family members react and adapt to stressors and change in order to meet family needs.  (Rollins, 2018).

Advocating for family inclusion in medical decisions

Assessments on family system coping

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Play and medical play for patients and siblings

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Diagnosis education and teaching for patients, siblings and caregivers

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Strategies for increased coping for patient, siblings and caregivers

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Psychological preparation and procedural support

Activities for emotional expression 

Normalizing medical and hospital experiences 

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Legacy building activities

 (Thompson, 2018)