Editorial

Family Ties

Anne Katz

family caregivers
ONF 2012, 39(4), 331-331. DOI: 10.1188/12.ONF.331

There are a number of articles in this issue of the Oncology Nursing Forum (ONF) that describe phenomena related to the family of the person with cancer. Nursing has long recognized that the patient's family is very important in everything that we do. We have come a long way from the days of physician-centered care, to person- or patient-centered care, and now to family-centered care. This is a good thing for everyone—the patient is supported by a well-informed family and we also can support the family, which is always impacted by the illness experience of one of its members. The family is an ally and a source of information about how the patient is coping and can help us do what we need to do more effectively. But what about the family that hinders rather than helps?

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    References

    Lim, J.W., Baik, O.M., & Ashing-Giwa, K.T. (2012). Cultural health beliefs and health behaviors in Asian American breast cancer survivors: A mixed-methods approach. Oncology Nursing Forum, 39, 388-397.
    Underwood, W., Poch, M., & Orom, H. (2012). Air spreads cancer: So don't cut me open [Abstract 1644]. Retrieved from http://www.aua2012.org/abstracts/printpdf.cfm?ID=1644