Working with Families of Psychiatric Inpatients

Working with the families of inpatients is one of the most important -- and most challenging -- aspects of practicing clinical psychiatry. Clinicians are responsible not only for the well-being of their patients but also for the education, guidance, and at times management of the patient's family. In this book, Dr. Alison M. Heru and Laura M. Drury offer a step-by-step guide to developing the skills necessary for working successfully with families. Research data, outlined in the beginning chapters, demonstrate just how essential families and evidence-based family treatment are to effective patient care. Following chapters use clinical case studies to illustrate the skills necessary for successful family assessment and treatment. Psychiatric residents will enhance their knowledge of the family as a social context within which the patient lives, how to conduct a family meeting, common mistakes to avoid, and when to refer. The authors also describe specific strategies for intervening with difficult families and for overcoming some fears and anxieties common among residents. The authors conclude by discussing the challenges of working with families. They provide practical suggestions for risk management and valuable insights into the perspectives of families and patients. Keyed to the new requirements articulated by the American College of Graduate Medical Education, this handbook is a tool no psychiatric resident can do without.