Chronic illness: the child and the family

Abstract 

It can be argued that management of CCI should be family-orientated and should not just deal with management of the physical aspects of the illness. The professional team (paediatricians, nurses, mental health professionals) should ensure that, at the least, all family members should be made aware of the nature of the illness, the care it entails and the likely associations of physical and psychosocial aspects. The family's coping and adaptation mechanisms should be acknowledged and seen in the light of the family's attempt to achieve an equilibrium rather than comparing them rather negatively against ‘normal’ families. Such coping mechanisms should be encouraged and fostered as long as they do not become pathological. Social structures and agencies support should be made available when necessary.

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