Importance Of Family Assessment

I. INTRODUCTION
A family. A word that is simple yet broad in terms of meaning and concept. As define by Australian Bureau of Statistics (2010), it is a group of two or more person, one of whom is at least 15 years of age, related by blood, marriage, adoption, step fostering, and who are usually resident in the same household. Moreover, a family possess common traits, interest and beliefs. Members shares common sense of affection and social stability. In the present society, a family can be identified as single-parenting, extended family and couple relationships either homo or heterosexual.
A family plays a great role on one's holistic approach to wellness and better health. A patient wont be fully diagnose if the focus will only be on the

Therefore, in a simpler way, family assessment could be define as a systematic and continuous nursing act of collecting and understanding the family, its composition and relationship among members.
How important family assesment is? Assessment, in every field, has always been the first stage of nursing process. It will be the source of data; data necessary to come up a goal and a plan. Nurses' functions during family assessment is difficult. As an initial phase, it is truly vital. It will affect the proceeding phases because it will serve as a basis of setting goals, doing further study or planning

It consists of open ended type of questions that allows continuous flow of conversation. It is also known to be child sensitive and friendly.
Yet, in every positive aspects comes negative one. To be able to me come up with complete statement you have to provide enough time; thus, some nurses response to this as time consuming tool. The tool is also limited to family's identified strenghts.
Before starting the assessment phase, be guided of following suggeted approach in using AFS nursing assessment. Remember, involvement of family member is a necessity. Thus, finding their most convenient time is definitely a must. Let the family also decide where the interview will be done. And by that, it is advisable that home visit is the best. Also, ask member who they consider a family; those known members will be included in the health care planning. This assessment includes all members that means children and teenagers are in. Moreover, in doing interview, use words that are common and easy to be understood particularly in talking with child. Be sensitive on body gestures and facial expressions, they may indicate uneasiness or