ABSTRACT
Illness creates loss, necessitates role changes, and siphons financial and emotional resources. Most physicians now recognize the importance of the interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors in illness. The “biopsychosocial model” has become increasingly integrated into modern medicine. Primary care medicine has been called the “de facto mental health system” because such a large proportion of significant mental health issues is treated in this setting. Tertiary care settings also serve patients with psychotherapeutic needs. Chronic illness presents unique challenges and opportunities for medical family therapists. The pre-illness role of the ill family member impacts how stressed the family is by the potential loss of function, and how able family members are to replace the functions that person is no longer able to perform. All families have some patterns of behavior and scripts about illness management before they are stressed by a major illness.
