The Nursing of Families : Theory/Research/Education/Practice

Compelling family nursing issues are explored in this volume, which addresses practice, research and theory in order to bridge the gap between families′ needs and expectations and the practice of family nursing.

Contemporary issues such as cross-cultural concerns, HIV//AIDS and the health of homeless mothers and children are examined; sections are also devoted to policy and economic issues, theory development, research, practice and education. A final section provides an integrative review which examines whether family intervention actually helps.

Respected scholars contribute chapters to this comprehensive volume that provide state-of-the-art nursing care for families. Based upon papers presented at the Second International Conference on Family Nursing, it offers significant directions for cross-cutting issues in practice, education research, and theory to bridge the gap between perceived needs and expectations of families and the practice of nursing of families. Among the diverse and compelling issues explored are policy and economic issues, theory development, research methodology (sampling and scoring family data, practice issues, and education), and contemporary topics such as cross-cultural concerns, HIV/AIDS, feminist perspectives on family nursing research, and homeless mothers and their children. A final section utilizes meta-analysis techniques to answer the question, "Does family intervention make a difference?" This volume will be a valuable resource for graduate students and faculty of nursing, family studies, health services, and social work programs. Clinicians, and others interested in the most recent developments in the field of family nursing, will also benefit from this outstanding volume. "The strengths of this book are many. . . . The contributors are leaders in the family nursing and health care field. This book belongs on the shelf of serious family health care professionals, whether they practice in the clinical area, conduct research, teach, or are involved in policymaking. The book also provides a good reference for graduate students in any health care discipline. I am proud that nurses, along with other family social scientists, are embracing the family as a unit of care/analysis, and this collection represents some of the latest thinking toward this end." --Family Relations