The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 41 No. 1 - Transitional Care for Family Physicians

Mobilising Social Care for the Family Physicians

Christine Hindarto Lim
Ng Joo Ming Matthew
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 41 No 1 - Transitional Care for Family Physicians
28 - 32
1 May 2015
0377-5305
Family engagement should be part of a holistic management of any patient. This is especially so in patients who have an acute change in their health condition or function that stresses their social setup. Conducting a family conference is one of the many ways to engage patients and their caregivers and address their bio-psycho-social needs. It is a focused and purposeful approach that engages every member of the health care team and family members in facilitating a common understanding and decision-making with the aim of improving patient care and outcome. A family conference is resource intensive, and should be planned well to maximise the goals that it was set out to achieve. This article was written as a primer to help family physicians understand the indications, preparations needed, and steps to take in conducting a family conference. To facilitate a family conference confidently is a skill and an art that requires practice and constant refinement.