title: Family functioning and its implications for palliative care.
abstract: Palliative care programs are based on the principle that care should be directed to the family as a unit. However, existing guidelines for care of the family tend to be described in general terms. Analysis of data from a series of three research studies describing the experience of twenty-three families caring for a terminally ill member revealed that family functioning influenced their experience. The dimensions of family functioning are described and guidelines for working with families are proposed.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Reimer
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Martens
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011340:Problem Solving; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012380:Role; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*