Maximizing Time, Minimizing Suffering: The 15-Minute (or less) Family Interview

Abstract

Time is of the essence in nursing practice. Major changes in health care delivery, budgetary constraints, and staff cutbacks have required new ideas for involving families. Rather than excluding family members from health care, more efficient ways need to be determined of how to conduct brief family interviews. This article proposes that a 15-minute (or less) family interview with appropriate knowledge and skills can respond to this important aspect of nursing care. Suggestions are made for facilitating beliefs that need to be embraced for involving families in health care. Essential knowledge of sound family assessment and intervention models, interviewing skills, and questions are given. Identification and discussion of the five key ingredients for brief family interviews are offered. These are: manners, therapeutic conversation, family genogram, therapeutic questions, and commendations. This article cites two clinical examples that highlight the effectiveness and potential for healing in brief family interviews, whether in 15 minutes or in one sentence.