Family-Focused Functional Assessment: Interview Questionnaire and Analysis

QUESTION

Understanding family structure and style is essential to patient and family care. Conducting a family interview and needs assessment gathers information to identify strengths, as well as potential barriers to health. This information ultimately helps develop family-centered strategies for support and guidance. 

Develop an interview questionnaire to be used in a family-focused functional assessment. The questionnaire must include three open-ended, family-focused questions to assess functional health patterns for each of the following:

1. Values/Health Perception
2. Nutrition
3. Sleep/Rest
4. Elimination
5. Activity/Exercise
6. Cognitive
7. Sensory-Perception
8. Self-Perception
9. Role Relationship
10. Sexuality
11. Coping

Select a family, other than your own, and seek permission from the family to conduct an interview. Utilize the interview questions complied in your interview questionnaire to conduct a family-focused functional assessment. Document the responses as you conduct the interview.

Upon completion of the interview, analyze your assessment findings. Include the following in your paper:

1. Describe the family structure. Include individuals and any relevant attributes defining the family composition, race/ethnicity, social class, spirituality, and environment.
2. Summarize the overall health behaviors of the family. Describe the current health of the family.
3. Based on your findings, describe at least two of the functional health pattern strengths noted in the findings. Discuss three areas in which health problems or barriers to health were identified.
4. Describe how family systems theory can be applied to solicit changes in family members that, in turn, initiate positive changes to the overall family functions over time.

ANSWER

Family-Focused Functional Assessment: Interview Questionnaire and Analysis

Introduction

Understanding a family’s structure, values, and health perceptions is vital for providing patient and family-centered care. A family-focused functional assessment gathers information to identify strengths, barriers to health, and areas for support. This paper presents an interview questionnaire designed to assess functional health patterns in a family and analyzes the findings from an interview conducted with a selected family.

Interview Questionnaire

1. Values/Health Perception:
a. How does your family view health and wellness?
b. Are there any cultural or spiritual beliefs that influence your health decisions?
c. How do you manage and prioritize your family’s health?

2. Nutrition:
a. Describe your family’s typical daily diet.
b. Are there any dietary restrictions or preferences within your family?
c. How do you make decisions about meal planning and food choices?

3. Sleep/Rest:
a. How do family members typically sleep at night?
b. Are there any sleep disturbances or habits that affect your family’s rest?
c. How do you ensure adequate rest for everyone in the family?

4. Elimination:
a. Can you describe your family’s typical bathroom routines?
b. Are there any issues or concerns related to elimination within the family?
c. How do you promote healthy elimination habits?

5. Activity/Exercise:
a. What physical activities does your family engage in regularly?
b. Are there any barriers to physical activity or exercise?
c. How do you encourage physical fitness in your family?

6. Cognitive:
a. Describe how your family members maintain mental clarity and cognitive health.
b. Are there any cognitive challenges or concerns within your family?
c. How do you support cognitive well-being?

7. Sensory-Perception:
a. How do family members address sensory-perception issues, such as vision or hearing problems?
b. Are there any sensory impairments or sensory sensitivities in the family?
c. How do you accommodate sensory needs?

8. Self-Perception:
a. How do family members perceive themselves and their self-worth?
b. Are there any self-esteem or self-image issues within your family?
c. How do you promote positive self-perception?

9. Role Relationship:
a. Describe the roles and responsibilities of family members.
b. Are there any conflicts or challenges in role relationships?
c. How do you maintain healthy family dynamics?

10. Sexuality:
a. How does your family approach discussions about sexuality and relationships?
b. Are there any sexual health concerns or questions within your family?
c. How do you ensure open and respectful communication about sexuality?

11. Coping
a. How does your family cope with stress, challenges, or crises?
b. Are there any coping strategies or support systems in place?
c. How do you promote resilience and well-being during difficult times?

Interview Findings

Family Structure

The selected family comprises a married couple in their late 30s with two children, ages 6 and 9. The family is of Hispanic ethnicity, middle-class, and follows Catholic spirituality. They live in a suburban environment.

Overall Health Behaviors

The family maintains a generally healthy lifestyle, emphasizing regular exercise and balanced nutrition. They prioritize preventive healthcare, including vaccinations and routine check-ups. However, they report occasional stress due to work and school commitments.

Functional Health Pattern Strengths

1. Values/Health Perception: The family values preventive healthcare and incorporates spirituality into their health decisions.
2. Nutrition: They prioritize nutritious meals and involve the children in meal planning and cooking.

Barriers to Health

1. Role Relationship: The parents struggle to balance work and family roles, causing occasional stress.
2. Coping: Stress from work and school commitments affects the family’s coping mechanisms and emotional well-being.
3. Sleep/Rest: The parents report occasional sleep disturbances due to work-related stress.

Family Systems Theory Application

Applying family systems theory, positive changes in family members can initiate broader improvements in family functions. By addressing the identified barriers, such as work-related stress and role conflicts, the family can enhance their overall well-being. Open communication, support, and shared problem-solving can lead to positive changes in family dynamics over time. Encouraging the family to seek external support when needed can also promote resilience and healthier coping mechanisms.

In conclusion, understanding family structure and functional health patterns is crucial for providing family-centered care. This interview questionnaire and analysis help healthcare providers identify strengths, barriers, and areas for support within a family, facilitating tailored care and interventions.