title: Coping with chronic illness.
abstract: Families suffer in many ways when a member is stricken with chronic illness. Nurses frequently feel a sense of frustration when working with the chronically ill because cure is not possible. The author reviews the goals of care and coping tasks common to the chronically ill. Family coping styles are reviewed with suggestions for effective nurse behaviors with each style.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D004646:Emphysema / Q000451:nursing; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic