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PARADIGM OF FAMILY AS A SUPPORT SYSTEM


I come from a society that strongly believes in the proverb when two carry, it does not hurt. The strongest and most basic unit in the African society is the family. Family is our strength and our pride, it is our link to the past and a bridge to the future. The family unit is the rock that stays steady, it is the glue that binds and keeps individuals together. It is an institution that works!
Due to the value the Ghanaian society places on the family, its role with regard to supportive care cannot be underestimated especially in the event of chronic illness. Chronic illnesses generally do not fix themselves and usually have no cure. For instance, heart disease and stroke can be life-threatening and may result in physical impairment requiring long-term lifestyle changes and intensive management. Families therefore, provide instrumental support such as transportation to the hospital, paying bills and assistance with the daily needs that are associated with the diagnosis (Given, 2001). Their presence is an important source of psychological stability to the patient. Family as a support system also improves recovery since the family can collaborate during the therapeutic process and participate in the planning of the patient’s care (Bellou, 2001). Thus, the bigger the family size and resources, the bigger the safety net and the better the prognosis.
when two carry, it does not hurt
A typical example is the family approach to diabetes management which highlights patient and family self-management. The model emphasizes the inclusion of a family support system as a form of clinical intervention strategy. This includes the involvement of family as active supervisors and consultants in the diabetes management strategy (Solowiejczyk, 2004). It is a cost-effective means of delivering favourable clinical outcomes and improving the quality of life. Family support proved to improve prognosis and quality of life because of the unit’s ability to increase the chances of the patient sticking to the treatment plan. They encouraged healthy choices by boosting the patient’s ability to cope with the stress of both the diagnoses and the physical limitations associated with it (Solowiejczyk, 2004).
A study conducted by Glick et al. (2011) on the role of the family and improvement in treatment, maintenance, adherence and outcome for schizophrenia, stated that patients with available family support regardless of interpersonal issues between the patient and the family improved the outcome. This was mediated by improving long term adherence to therapy.


The role of the family unit has already been described as an integral system of the Ghanaian culture. Therefore a better understanding of the important role that the family support system plays in chronic illness management is necessary to improve the efficiency of this intervention. It is imperative that caregivers are adequately equipped and supported by the provision of information, support, and assistance. Information about the dimension of the care to be provided such as nutritional considerations and even the financial aspect should be made available (Given, 2001). The needs of the caregivers should not go unattended. The complexity and the demanding nature of the support needed by the patient, some of which require expertise that the family may not have, just increases the frustration and the anxiety of the family. Therefore, the powerful centuries-old African proverb, when two carry, it does not hurt can only be fulfilled when information becomes a key resource for family caregivers.


Author: Josephine Menyah 



REFERENCES
Bellou P. Gerogianni K G. The Contribution of Family in the Care of Patient at the Hospital. Health Science Journal. MedPub LTD. 2001
Given B., Given C, Kozachik. Family Support in Advaced Cancer. CA Cancer J Clin 2001; 51-213-231
Glick ID, Stekoll AH, Hays S. The Role of the Family and Improvement in Treatment, Maintenance, Adherence and Outcome for Schizophrenia. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2011.
Solowiejczyk J. The Family Approach to Diabetes Management: Theory Into Practice Toward Development of New Paradigm. Diabetes Spectrum 2004; 17(1):31-36

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