A model of collaborative healthcare in outpatient medical oncology.

Chronic Pain and Family

“…The literature on the merit of family therapy for health problems include studies on stroke (Clark et al, 2003), cancer (Keller and Jost, 2003;Sellers, 2000), diabetes (Hagglund et al, 1996;Satin et al, 1989), anorexia nervosa (Ball, 1999), and depression (Chase and Holmes, 1990;Clarkin et al, 1990;Lebow and Gurman, 1995;Stevenson, 1993;Waring et al, 1995). A comprehensive literature search failed to produce any controlled outcome study for family therapy and chronic pain disorders.…”

Medical Family Therapy: A Theoretical and Empirical Review

“…Since 2000, there have been increased efforts to understand and study MedFT interventions. Researchers have reported perceived MedFT benefits in an inpatient psychiatric setting (Anderson et al 2008), as part of a diabetic treatment team (Robinson et al 2004), in primary care (Marlowe 2011), and in oncology settings (Harrington et al 2009;Sellers 2000), but more detail is needed on exactly what MedFT interventions were conducted that were effective. Through a clinical case study, Rosenberg et al (2008) illustrated the focus of MedFT sessions which included aiming to increase the patients' sense of agency, as well as facilitating and nurturing the relationship between the patient and the healthcare team.…”

“…With the relative youth of MedFT, it is understandable that controlling for years in formal training may be a challenge as there are few clinicians who have received a doctorate, post-doctorate, master's, or certificate in MedFT as compared to those who learned through experience in context. While several researchers have identified MedFT interventionists as being graduate level students (e.g., Anderson et al 2008;Davey et al 2008;Marlowe 2011;Robinson et al 2004;Rosenberg et al 2008) other researchers who have studied MedFT in action did not specify the background or type of training received (e.g., Harrington et al 2009;Sellers 2000). Efficacy research is needed to determine whether or not individuals who identify as medical family therapists who hold degrees in family therapy apply MedFT concepts and applications differently than those who do not, whether those who identify as medical family therapists and who have systems training yield different outcomes than those who do not, and whether or not MedFT produces results beyond treatment as usual.…”

“…There are no known randomized control trials comparing the outcomes of family therapists practicing MedFT with other mental health disciplines. The first study to examine the MedFT skill set and its benefit was conducted on an outpatient medical oncology unit (Sellers 2000). Quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews revealed that healthcare providers, patients, and their partners benefitted from the addition of MedFT services.…”

Relationships Influence Health: Family Theory in Health‐Care Research

“…Their reviews did not locate any randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of MedFT services to other behavioral health approaches. Instead, Tyndall et al (2014) reported the preponderance of MedFT research focused on professional issues, including medical family therapists reflecting on practice (Bischof, Lieser, Taratua, & Fox, ), surveys from a pilot project placing a medical family therapist with an oncology practice (Sellers, ), and recommendations for medical family therapists' inclusion in treatment (Hodgson, McCammon, & Anderson, ). Thus, MedFT investigation was often inward, studying the profession (e.g., Anderson, Huff, & Hodgsen, 2008; Harrington et al, 2009; Robinson, Barnacle, Pretorious, & Paulman, 2004; Rosenberg, Brown, & Gawinsky, 2008).…”