Families of Patients with Chronic Illness

The purpose of this course is to increase the knowledge base of social workers, physicians, nurses, marriage and family therapists, and other allied healthcare professionals who work with patients with chronic illness and their families, in order to effectively address the impact of chronic illness on the entire family system. In addition, members of the public may use this course to enhance their personal knowledge of the subject matter presented.


Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:


1. Differentiate between the key terms involved in discussions of chronic illness.

2. Discuss the major assumptions of crisis theory and their application for families with patients experiencing chronic illness.

3. Discuss the major assumptions of family systems theory and their applications for families with patients experiencing chronic illness.

4. Explain the Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response (FAAR) Model and its application for families with members who are chronically ill.

5. Describe the impact of chronic illness on the patient and the role of the patient's developmental stage in affecting the meaning and impact of chronic illness.

6. Describe the types of demands experienced by the family system when a family member is diagnosed with chronic illness.

7. Describe the variations of coping responses.

8. Identify and explain factors that influence how families respond to the diagnosis of chronic illness.

9. Articulate the role of gender in family adaptation to chronic illness.

10. Discuss the role of spirituality and religiosity in family adaptation to chronic illness.

11. Distinguish between the terms "caregiving" and "caregiver," and define the concept of caregiver stress.

12. Discuss the role of culture, race, and ethnicity in family caregiving.

13. Utilize various types of assessments and interventions for the families of patients with chronic illness.


This 10-hour continuing education course is available for download for professional development; if continuing education credit is desired, please see instructions included in eBook.