ABSTRACT
Nurses are constantly reminded that they should adopt a holistic perspective in carrying out their role. This holistic perspective includes consideration of members of the patient’s family within the context of care. The importance of the role played by family members is an established one (Leske, 1992). The effects of the individual’s illness constitute an important part of family life, and are closely related to the health status of its members (Weeks and O’Connor, 1994). The family can also be a significant source of information about the patient.
