family medicine
Last reviewed 01/2018
The nuclear family is rare where the husband goes out to work while the wife stays at home to look after the children - 15% of families.
At least a third of marriages end in separation, which results in psychosocial problems brought to the GP.
GP's working with families should avoid being directive and taking too much responsibility for the family's welfare otherwise an unhealthy dependence can develop.
Families should be educated to prepare for the normal changes of family development and to cope with the impact of illness within the family.