Levels of family involvement in patient visits by family medicine faculty.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study investigates levels of family involvement (LFI) in patient visits by family medicine faculty, extends validity testing of the LFI model, and provides data for comparison with a previous study of LFI in patient visits by family practice residents. METHODS: Twenty visits were taped for each of five physician faculty and were rated according to whether family involvement was indicated and if it occurred. RESULTS: Of the 100 visits, 47 showed minimal or no family involvement. Of the 29 visits when faculty provided medical information and advice to a family, 66% involved children. Family issues were discussed in only 18% of visits if only adult patients were considered. Overall, however, family involvement occurred in 80% of the visits in which it was indicated. The results of this study, which involved faculty, showed slightly higher family involvement levels than found for residents in a previous study, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The similarity between faculty LFI in this study and LFI exhibited by residents in a previous study may mean that both groups are currently exhibiting appropriate LFI. However, the unexpected findings may be a function of the research tools' inadequate sensitivity. Methodology changes are recommended to increase sensitivity in measuring family orientation, particularly for individual adult patients.