Overview
Introduction
A patient's mental health is shaped not only by symptoms, but also by the relationships, roles, expectations, and resources surrounding the patient.
A patient's mental health is shaped not only by symptoms, but also by the relationships, roles, expectations, and resources surrounding the patient. A diagnosis can alter who provides care, how decisions are made, whether treatment is supported, and how safely the patient can manage after discharge. Family assessment therefore asks more than who lives in the home. The nurse examines the family's structure, developmental context, day-to-day functioning, communication, strengths, stressors, and connections outside the home. The family is defined by the patient and family rather than by an assumed nuclear model. Involving family members does not remove the patient's right to privacy, consent, or participation in decisions. CFAM gives the nurse a systematic assessment map. The findings then guide family-centred interventions, including the use of CFIM principles, education, safety planning, caregiver support, and referrals. The aim is not to label a family as functional or dysfunctional; it is to identify patterns that affect health, safety, coping, and the feasibility of the care plan.