Family psychiatry: from research to practice.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to review current research evidence for clinicians involving families in the assessment and treatment of their patients.


METHODS
Research on effects of family support on illness outcome and outcomes of family-centered treatment in medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry are reviewed.


RESULTS
Research in many medical fields shows that families have powerful influences on health that are equal to or surpass other risk factors and that brief family interventions increase health and decrease the risk of relapse in chronic illnesses. Research in psychiatry affirms that family interventions reduce the rate of relapse, improve recovery, and increase family well-being.


CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence supports increased emphasis on family-oriented psychiatric practice.
Heru
Alison M
AM
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Butler Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, 345 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI 02906, USA. aheru@butler.org
D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005192:Family Health; D005195:Family Relations; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000379:methods; D012106:Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome