The psychiatric liaison nurse's role with families in acute care

The role of the psychiatric liaison nurse with families has been described. In an attempt to differentiate the psychiatric liaison nurse's role from others on the liaison team, the emphasis is on the role in response to problematic interactions between families and nursing staff that revolve around nursing care and management of the patient. Four common problems reflecting family coping behaviors are identified. Case examples illustrate direct and indirect liaison nurse interventions in two of the problem situations as a suggestion of the possible range of creative approaches that may be used in a systems-oriented liaison approach. The key is recognition of the interdependence of the family, patient, and staff within the total environment and the development of approaches that are based on the principles of management for liaison work with families.