A Constructivist Evaluation of Family Systems Nursing Interventions with Families Experiencing Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Illness

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate Family Systems Nursing interventions using a methodological approach based on Guba and Lincoln’s fourth generation evaluation. The project involved five families in which one member had suffered either a myocardial infarction or a stroke. In this participatory study, family members, patients, nurses, and investigators were considered coresearchers in the research process. Thus, families collaborated with investigators and nurses to develop and evaluate Family Systems Nursing interventions based on the Calgary Family Assessment and Intervention Models. This article presents the research methodology and results that offer practical nursing interventions to help families during the patient’s rehabilitation process.