Multidisciplinary intervention for failure to thrive--Casebook.

Medical Family Therapy: A Theoretical and Empirical Review

“…For example, casebook authors advocated for clinical observation and immersion to serve as the two main mechanisms for building MedFT skills. They targeted application of skills across certain diagnostic areas, including but not limited to, somatization disorders (Cohen 1995), congestive heart failure (Clabby and Howarth 2007), diabetes (Munshower 2004), munchausen (Kannai 2009), fibromyalgia (Navon 2005), neurologic impairment (Gellerstedt and Mauksch 1993), parenting children with health challenges (Rosenberg et al 2008;Thomasgard et al 2004) and HIV/AIDS (Lowe 2007). MedFT Casebook authors also addressed navigating cultural differences in establishing care (Schirmer and Le 2002), supporting the doctor-patient relationship (Knishkowy and Herman 1998;Radomsky 1996), and facilitating the act of collaboration (Leahy et al 1994;Prest et al 1996;Ruddy et al 1994).…”

“…Additionally, these interventions must be employed with a larger population rather than single case studies to add weight to their generalizability. Researchers must continue to build on the descriptive, qualitative studies that have already been conducted to illuminate the practice and role of MedFT (e.g., Anderson et al 2008.;Harrington et al 2009;Robinson et al 2004;Rosenberg et al 2008) thereby taking these descriptions and creating a body of interventions conducted by MedFT trained clinicians that can be studied further and integrated into a curriculum for the training of future medical family therapists.…”

“…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.…”

“…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. It is unclear, however, how or if it was these specific interventions that impacted the patient outcome or if it was another element of treatment such as the collaboration that existed among the treatment team.…”