The single-session family interview

Currently, attempts are being made to integrate family systems theory and technique into the practice of family physicians. Although the importance of the family has been demonstrated in a number of medical situations and although several authors have indicated situations in which it is useful for the physician to convene the family, to date no explicit guidelines have been developed for conducting a single-session family interview. This article presents a framework for conducting such an interview, structured in three stages (contracting, exploration, and closure) with clinical examples for each stage. The single-session family interview provides the family physician with realistic guidelines for helping families who face medical dilemmas and for improving the physician's practice. The guidelines have proven useful in teaching residents the skills involved in understanding family dynamics and conducting productive family meetings.