Nursing Assignment: Genogram and Eco-map as Family Assessment Tools

This nursing assignment discusses the use of genogram and eco-map as family assessment tools. It explains the rationale behind using these tools and the benefits of using them in family assessment. The assignment also provides an overview of eco-map and genogram and their significance in nursing practice.

Running head: NURSING ASSIGNMENT
NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author's note

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Genogram:
A genogram is considered as one of the most crucial family assessment tools. This is used
in child and family nursing practice to gather the understanding of the issues experienced by the
family to tailor interventions to the uniqueness of the family. A genogram is a graphical diagram
that provides information reading the internal structure of the family in a broader context. Doyle,
Hungerford and Cleary (2017), suggested that it usually include three-generation, and each
generation will occupy each different horizontal in the form of a family tree.
The rationale behind using genogram:
The nurses should undertake genogram during family assessment because it provides
detailed data of family. Different interactions between family members such as important dates
of the family history, hereditary pattern behind the psychological factors, the insight of the
family beliefs and behaviour as well (Patane & Forster, 2017). Furthermore, it offers new insight
into the development of family events such as significant life events, social action, and disorders
like alcoholism, depression, diseases, and smoking habits. Consequently, it provides nurses with
an opportunity to make family members aware of the health-related risk and associated
interventions, build motivation amongst family members to overcome specific issues. Hence, it
will assist nurses in supporting the wellbeing of the patient by empowering them and providing
them with accurate interventions.
Family assessment models (Eco map):
Eco-maps are one of the most suitable frameworks which provides further insight into the
family network. Broekema et al. (2018), suggested that Eco-map is a powerful tool for

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discovering possible sources of depression, anxiety and other risk factors that require immediate
nursing intervention.
An Eco-map interprets the interaction of the family members and with a broader
community. In this type of framework, the family placed in the centre of the map and groups,
community members and extended is placed around the outside of the circle (Doyle, Hungerford
& Cleary 2017). Lines are drawn between family members as well as the extended family
members and broader family.
Benefits of using this selected model/tool as part of the nurse's assessment of the family:
The significant advantage of using Eco-map as a family assessment tool is that it provides
a client-centred perspective. It also facilitates a relationship in which the clients and clinicians
work together towards empowerment and self-determination (Foster & Shields, 2018). Many
researchers highlighted that unlike genogram, Ecomap provides the details of the personal
relationship of individuals with immediate family members. It also provides information with
extended family members and the broader community. As eco-map follows the biopsychosocial
model for assessing smaller details of the family, it is more effective. Miller et al. (2017), stated
that Eco-map, as one of the most crucial family assessment tools. It assists clients in describing,
organizing, and understanding the different dynamics of their lives so that they can identify the
root cause of their situation. In this way, this tool is capable of depicting the significant nurturing
association between the community and family and validates the flow of resources, lacks and
deprivations of special needs; and highlights the nature of the interfaces. Consequently, nurses
can focus on the client's strengths instead of weakness, resources, needs, and deficits and help the

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client to set mutual goals. Hence, it assists nurses to empower patients, boost their confidence
and self-esteem, empathizes their situation, and support faster recovery (Foster & Shields, 2018).
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References:
Broekema, S., Luttik, M. L. A., Steggerda, G. E., Paans, W., & Roodbol, P. F. (2018). Measuring
change in nurses' perceptions about family nursing competency following a 6-day
educational intervention. Journal of family nursing, 24(4), 508-537. Retrieved from
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1074840718812145
Doyle, K., Hungerford, C., & Cleary, M. (2017). Study of intra‐racial exclusion within
Australian Indigenous communities using eco‐maps. International journal of mental
health nursing, 26(2), 129-141. Retrieved from
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/inm.12259
Foster, M., & Shields, L. (2018). Bridging the Child and Family Centered Care Gap: Therapeutic
Conversations with Children and Families. Comprehensive child and adolescent nursing,
1-8. Retrieved from
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/24694193.2018.1559257
Miller, V.J., Fields, N.L., Adorno, G. & Smith-Osborne, A., (2017). Using the eco-map and
ecosystems perspective to guide skilled nursing facility discharge planning. Journal of
gerontological social work, 60(6-7), pp.504-518. Retrieved from
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01634372.2017.1324548
Patane, I., & Forster, E. (2017). 3 Family and community. Paediatric Nursing in Australia:
Principles for Practice, 38. Retrieved from
http://assets.cambridge.org/97811076/85000/frontmatter/9781107685000_frontmatter.pdf