Family-Centred Care Report: Genogram, Erikson's Theory, Gibbs Cycle

This report delves into the principles of Family-Centred Care, emphasizing the use of Genograms as a tool for understanding family health patterns and their relevance to patient care. It applies Erik Erikson's Lifespan Development Theory to analyze the developmental stages of family members, highlighting how these stages inform healthcare approaches. The report further incorporates Gibbs' Reflective Cycle to critically assess nursing practice, examining experiences, feelings, evaluations, and action plans for improving care delivery. The analysis focuses on the management of conditions like heart disease and diabetes within a family context, underscoring the importance of communication, transparency, and tailored care strategies. The conclusion stresses the significance of a family-centered approach in supporting patients and their families, advocating for the integration of various techniques and theories to enhance nursing practice and improve patient outcomes.

FAMILY-CENTRED
CARE

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART A...........................................................................................................................................1
Genogram....................................................................................................................................1
Relevance of Genogram to Family-Centred Care.......................................................................2
Erikson's Development Theory...................................................................................................3
PART B............................................................................................................................................5
Gibbs' Reflective Cycle...............................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Family-Centred Care refers to a practice which is adopted by healthcare professionals in
relation to recognising health related issues and needs of families and work together with each of
the family member to provide appropriate and effective care (Coyne, Hallström and Söderbäck,
2016). The following report is based on provision of a family centred care through a Genogram
and how the same could be well enhanced and inform a family-centred care approach to caring
for patients through using Erik Erikson's Lifespan Development Theory. It also includes an in
depth reflection on how different aspects could be utilised in relation to improving nursing
practice.
PART A
Genogram
Genogram refers to a graphical representation of an individual's family tree which
appropriately enhances the understanding of relationship within different family members within
a family (Tallon, Kendall and Snider, 2015). Moreover, it also helps in emphasising all the health
issues suffered by family members and how this could affect future generations. Following is the
Genogram reflecting health issues in a family:
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Illustration 1: Steve, 2019
In this genogram, there are two types of individuals within a family. Ones with red
portions in their display are those suffering from heart disease. Whereas, green coloured display
denotes Diabetes.
Relevance of Genogram to Family-Centred Care
Genogram could be used as an effective tool by medical practitioners to provide family-
centred care to patients (Mitchell and et. al., 2016). The genogram mentioned above displays a
composition of a family suffering from two distinct health issues. This trans-generational
conformation begins with paternal as well as maternal grandparents of Steve, Peter and Amy. It
describes how their paternal grandfather suffered from heart disease, while their paternal
grandmother had diabetes. With such compact family structure, it could be observed how bonds
between each family member are quite intense as well as harmonised. Furthermore, it could also
be interpreted these bonds are quite predominant, reflecting on the fact that how Steve has both
diabetes as well as heart disease. Moreover, his siblings, Amy and Peter too suffer from diabetes
and heart disease respectively. This calls for an effective family-centred care for all the family
members (Rankin, 2015).
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The Genogram presented above could be appropriately used to understand the pattern of
health conditions prevailing in the family. As an example, it could be effectively observed that
within the three generations, that mostly, as the case seen in parents and grandparents of Steve,
diabetes could be found within the females of the family (Fox and Reeves, 2015). Furthermore,
another interesting observation from the Genogram above is that it is highly likely that males of
the family, mostly at paternal side, might suffer from heart diseases. However, in case of Steve,
both these health conditions are quite evident in this individual, whereas, his siblings Peter and
Amy suffers from just one of the two health condition. However, all the individuals from a single
family suffer at least one problem. This could guide medical practitioners into giving a proper
healthcare facilities to individuals, which would be providing these individuals with proper
healthcare for each of their major health related issues.
In addition to this, the Genogram also confirms that it is highly likely that each family
member might suffer from such issues and such information could guide medical professionals
in taking necessary steps which might reduce the impact which heart disease and diabetes are
likely to have on these individuals. Furthermore, it would assist them in giving them proper
treatment to ensure its likelihood of getting spread in future generations (Trajkovski and et. al.,
2016).
Erikson's Development Theory
Erik Erikson developed a lifespan development theory, which effectively several stages
of a person's lifetime, along with the influence, which the environment has on the individual.
Furthermore, these stages also could help in providing effective family centred care as this
theory utilises personality traits of individual of distinctive stages which is essential for
professionals in appropriately enhance a family-centred care approach to caring for patients.
There are several stages and behavioural traits in this theory, which could reflected through the
Genogram above. In addition to this, the genogram could also assist in enhancing as well as
informing the family-centred approaches which must be provided by healthcare organisations
and medical professionals. This is because several health related traits could be identified for the
same, which, along with the theory, could help in provision of a consistent and appropriate
healthcare.
Following are the stages of Erikson's Lifespan Theory, which is relevant as per the
Genogram displayed above:
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 Integrity Vs. Despair: This is the last stage of his development theory. As per the above
genogram, John and Michelle both belong in this stage. John is deceased, whereas
Michelle still suffers from diabetes. Such information could be beneficial in case
healthcare professionals wish to provide appropriate and effective healthcare. As per the
theory, there are two aspects important for individuals in this phase. The first is integrity,
which includes self respect. A sense of wisdom is experienced by individuals in this
aspect. Another one is despair which happens when individuals experience regret.
However, this could be well utilised by professionals in case of Michelle as, to treat her
diabetes, they must acquire the approach which is associated with ensuring this feeling of
wisdom and appropriate support must be given which would ensure integrity within the
individual. Generativity Vs Stagnation: This stage includes Dexter and Lois. According to this
theory, there are two prominent aspects which are essential to be understood in relation to
providing effective care. One aspect relates with generativity which enhances interest in
individuals to guide their next generation, involvement in social groups, etc. Another
aspect is stagnation, in which individual is focused upon fulfilling self needs. In case of
Dexter and Lois, family-centred care must focus on how best their personal needs related
to healthcare are being met. Furthermore, the approach must also ensure effective social
exposure for both these individuals which would help them in feeling a sense of care and
belongingness.
 Young Adulthood: Steve, Peter as well as Amy belong to this very group. This theory
emphasises on two elements, intimacy and isolation. The former reflects the ability of
individuals to care and as well as build strong bonds and relationships, while the latter
reflects the feeling of being left out and alone. As for treatment, the Genogram
determines health issues in all these three individuals. This requires the healthcare
professionals to provide care and treatment in a friendly and effective environment.
Moreover, a strong bond must be created which would allow them to experience
appropriate care and togetherness which is essential for an appropriate treatment (Skene
and et. al., 2016).
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PART B
Gibbs' Reflective Cycle
It is very important for professionals to reflect on their nursing practice and several
elements that allow them to effectively provide better care and treatment to individuals suffering
from diseases like Heart Disease and Diabetes. For this purpose, Gibbs' reflective cycle has been
used which is discussed below:
 Description:
While working on the module of family-centred care, there were certain aspects which
are associated with effective and essential nursing practice that would allow me to ensure
appropriate provision of family-centred care. Certain aspects such as analysis of Genograms,
approaches to healthcare and application of several theories which allows to give effective care
to families in treating their diseases.
 Feelings:
During beginning of the module, I was feeling a little under confident as family-centred
care is a crucial aspect of healthcare and it is very important for aspirant professionals to
appropriately provide the same. However, as I progressed throughout the module, I learnt
specific elements related to family-centred care such as different methods, techniques and
considerations, which helped me in boosting my confidence and learn more about providing
family-centred care
 Evaluation:
There were certain aspects which went right throughout the module and certain things
which did not go so effective in this module as far as my learning family-centred care is
concerned. For instance, certain aspect such as communication proved to be quite positive for
me. This is because I effectively learnt the ways in which each family member must be
approached in case of health issue or otherwise. Moreover, I understand the requirement of being
transparent and honest with each patient and their peer groups. However, certain elements did
not prove to be quite well. For instance, there were several times in which I failed in consulting
with family members regarding the medication provided to patient which is an essential aspect in
healthcare. This caused ineffectiveness in my performance in relation with family-centred care.
 Analysis:
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This module made me realise that family-centred care is very crucial to be provided to
families to ensure their proper and collective treatment as well as prosperity. It is very important
to develop necessary skills which allows professionals in providing effective treatment and
support to families. As per my performance in nursing and family-centred care, however, I am
good in handling the tasks and fulfilling my duties with respect to this sort of care, I am still to
learn different aspects, such as compliance with seeking guidance to family members at every
step.
 Conclusion:
I could have had a different approach throughout the module. It was necessary that I took
help of my colleagues as well as my tutor in guiding me through the module. Furthermore, I
could have undertaken training to ensure improvement in my nursing.
 Action Plan:
If next time I encounter a similar situation, I would undergo seminars and training
sessions which will help me gain experience in family-centred care and receive effective
feedback of my performance. Moreover, I would also seek guidance from my colleagues which
would help me in effectively enhance my performance.
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded from the above information, that family-centred care is very
important in supporting and treating a family and helping them in coping up with their illnesses.
It is very crucial to apply different techniques like Genogram to appropriately understand all the
possible factors of providing family-centred care. Plus, it is important to use several theories like
Erik Erikson's Lifespan Theory along with reflection to enhance the nursing practice in this are
of expertise.
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REFERENCES
Genogram
Steve, (2019). Family Genogram. [Smiths]
Books and Journals
Coyne, I., Hallström, I., & Söderbäck, M. (2016). Reframing the focus from a family-centred to a
child-centred care approach for children’s healthcare. Journal of Child Health Care.
20(4). 494-502.
Fox, A., & Reeves, S. (2015). Interprofessional collaborative patient-centred care: a critical
exploration of two related discourses. Journal of Interprofessional Care. 29(2). 113-
118.
Mitchell, M. L., & et. al. (2016). Patient, family-centred care interventions within the adult ICU
setting: An integrative review. Australian Critical Care. 29(4). 179-193.
Rankin, J. M. (2015). The rhetoric of patient and family centred care: an institutional
ethnography into what actually happens. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 71(3). 526-534.
Skene, C., and et. al. (2016). Developing family‐centred care in a neonatal intensive care unit: an
action research study protocol. Journal of advanced nursing. 72(3). 658-668.
Tallon, M. M., Kendall, G. E., & Snider, P. D. (2015). Rethinking family‐centred care for the
child and family in hospital. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 24(9-10). 1426-1435.
Trajkovski, S., & et. al. (2016). Experiences of neonatal nurses and parents working
collaboratively to enhance family centred care: the destiny phase of an appreciative
inquiry project. Collegian. 23(3). 265-273.
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