Working with families in primary care: guidelines for the family physician.

Specific strategies for working with families in a busy office practice are described. Since the family provides an important context in which illness occurs, the physician should gather family data when seeing individual patients or entire families. Knowledge about the family's structure, development and functioning can enhance diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The physician attempting to promote adaptation or lessen distress might provide education or information. During certain medical and life crises, he/she might choose to offer brief support or enhance the family's problem-solving capacities. In other situations, referral may be the most appropriate intervention.