A Conceptual and Empirical Basis for Including Medical Family Therapy Services in Cancer Care Settings

Abstract

Psychosocial interventions in oncology settings have largely been individually and group-based despite evidence that a family-based approach fills a treatment gap in the cancer care experience. Medical Family Therapists are trained to address the family as the unit of treatment and provide services that consider family dynamics, reorganization of couple and family roles, and broader systemic issues. This article describes the conceptual bases for Medical Family Therapy services provided in cancer care settings, and reviews research on their implementation and effectiveness. Following a review of the literature, recommendations for studying the effectiveness and efficacy of MedFT in cancer care treatment are detailed.