Tips for Effective Family Meetings
A. General Reasons to have a Family Meeting
1. To provide aspects of the patient's personal and medical history which
have not been previously revealed.
2. To identify the social support systems presently in place for the patient.
3. To determine the impact of the illness on the family.
B. Specific Reasons to have a Family Meeting
1. Change in condition which may be expected or unanticipated
2. Diagnosis of a new disease
3. Detection of a terminal illness
4. Consideration of change in placement (assisted living or nursing home
5. Need for hospitalization - either emergent or in the future
6. Delineation of medical directives and heroic measures
7. Discussion of changes in treatment
8. Compliance issues
9. Dependency needs
10. Social issues
11. Family/care team conflict
C. Who should come to the Family Meeting?
1. The patient (if medical or behavioral issues do not preclude attendance.)
2. Team members who are involved in specific areas of care which require discussion.
3. Guardians
4. Family members who have durable power of attorney for health care or finances
5. Designated decision makers such as spouses or adult children
D. Stages of a Family Meeting
1. Pre-conference planning stage
2. Family meeting
3. Post conference discussion
E. Pre conference planning stage
1. Identify the reason for the meeting
2. Plan an agenda
3. Determine the family members who should attend
4. Set up the appointment (done by social services or medical services)
5. Consider meeting prior to the family meeting to discuss diagnosis,
prognosis, potential for change and development of realistic treatment goals with the team
F. The Family Meeting
1. Discuss the illness - review expectations, religious, and cultural
concerns, and impact on family
2. Identify resources - examine family, medical, and community supports
3. Negotiate a treatment plan - patient, family and the team should agree to
a treatment plan
4. Summarize the treatment plan with strategies for follow-up
G. Post-conference discussion
1. Review team assignments with plans for dates of completion
2. Identify any changes in therapy
3. Identify if previous problems have been addressed and resolved
4. Identify unresolved issues, new family conflicts, unrealistic
expectations or hidden agendas
5. Plan for future meetings to discuss problem areas
6. Complete a report summarizing attendance, issues discussed, family dynamics and treatment plan
Adapted from: McDaniel, Susan (No date). Conducting a Family Meeting
[online]. Available: http//129.22.12.42/family_meeting.html [2000, March 31].
Adaptation developed by:
Geraldine Salmeron, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Family and Community Medicine and Internal Medicine
Geriatrics
Baylor College of Medicine
and
Anita Woods, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and
Program Director, Center of Excellence
Baylor College of Medicine