Family study examples

I have added all the example family studies i can find to the folder that you can download from on the right hand bar --->

Marcus (the guy who organizes all of the peer education stuff) has told us that he will be having another family study session for everyone, where the girl who won the prize last year will go through her study for you all. So look forward to that!

Happy studying!

Reflections!

Its all about you!

Reflections dont have to take too much time, but are really important! If you get the three stages right, you should ace them.

Three stage reflections!

Selection- referred to  specific event in detail, describing your reaction

Integration- why did you act like this? draw on past experience and knowledge (cultural, education, beliefs, religion, family), describe lessons learned

Analysis- when and how will you apply the lessons learned?

Ie. Patient study, future as a medical student, as a doctor, other walks of life

Remember to ask WHY?

Brainstorm ideas

Religion, social class, gender, contrasting medical beliefs…

If you can’t think of any, sometimes it’s worth telling friends about your study mum and asking them to come up with some?

Here are mine, I Followed the 3 stages quite strictly. They seem to like that.

Communications with mother and family 

I was surprised by Naomi’s trust, openness and they way she was immediately at ease. Difficult topics were easily discussed and the interviews were very relaxed. During my medical education I have always assumed that patients will withhold information unless asked, and have been wary of intruding with probing questions. From this experience I can derive that patients attitudes to consultation are very diverse, and that different people will be comfortable with different approaches. I can apply this knowledge in future by giving time when first meeting patient to adapt my consulting style to that which they are most comfortable. 

Interactions with family and culture 

I was surprised that Naomi’s ethnicity, classed by her as ‘other’, was different to what I imagined from her accent and environment. As her origin was not immediately evident I felt unsure bringing it up. Would I come across as ignorant?  I had thought that I would find it easy to discuss ethnicity as I was educated in a culturally aware school and grew up in a diverse environment. However, I learned that often patients would not see their ethnicity to be an issue, despite the fact that it may be medically significant. This experience has allowed me to gain confidence in breaching the subject of ethnicity, and in discussing it with patients in a way that  demonstrates that I have no prejudice. 

Professionalism and attachment 

I immediately built up strong repore with my study family. The strength of the relationship between my partner, the family and I became apparent when Naomi and Andrew gave their baby our names!  We were incredibly touched by this gesture. The family was very similar to my own, and Naomi offered support as an adult medic. I recognised this situation as similar to one that I experienced on my hospital work experience when I befriended a patient who subsequently became ill, and found it very upsetting. This made me wary of becoming too attached and viewing Naomi as a ‘mother figure’. I have learned that becoming emotionally involved with a patient strays close to the boundaries of professionalism but can also bring great reward. In future I will aim to be able to step back from work and separate myself from the experiences and lives of my patients, while also building  up repore. 

Family study

Hello chaps!

Thanks for coming along to the session on Thursday, here is some of the stuff we went over!

/Users/Josievallely/Documents/Family Study Powerpoint For Peer Ed

View more presentations from Josie.

Teamwork with partner 

ICE- asking why?

Nearly every single feedback form I read said “ICE in more detail- ask why?”

The mother was worried because the baby was not kicking

Why was she worried?

What did she think this may signify?

Why did they think in that way?

What did they expect would happen?

The mother did not want to go to antenatal classes

Why not?

Why did she think they would make her worry?

The mother was concerned about downs syndrome due o her age

Has she got expeiriance of downs syndrom children?

How would it effect her pregnancy?

How would it impact her life?

Mum got on well with the midwife

Why is that important to her?

The mum felt lucky not to have morning sickness

How would it have effected her?

ALWAYS ASK- WHY DID YOU FEEL LIKE THAT?

Methodology

Gathering information

This study was essentially qualitative. Information was obtained from:

Semi-structured interviews. My partner and I took turns at asking questions (open and closed) and taking down notes.

Observing- General observations were helpful in drawing a picture of the family and Loretta’s experience. 

GP notes and antenatal records

Textbooks, Internet, lectures and seminars helped to prepare questions for each visit. 

Data triangulation was achieved by comparing information gathered from the family with GP and antenatal records, and talking to Loretta’s GP. 

Ethical issues - We made sure that the family was aware that all information would be confidential, and names would be anonymised. We stressed that should Loretta not wish to participate in the study anymore, she could withdraw at any point. Informed consent was obtained before viewing any records and discussing sensitive issues.