Genograms in Nursing Education and Practice a Sensitive but Very Effective Technique: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: A genogram resembles a genealogical tree, but it differs in that it takes into account family structure, ties and relationships, and also health and social problems in a family. The study presents the history of genograms and a general overview of symbols used for constructing them. Genograms have been used in nursing education and practice, mainly by family nurses, since 1980s. The study also discusses the rules of constructing a genogram, its advantages and possible weak points. Objective: To present genograms as a valuable tool used for nursing instruction to be applied in working with families. Material and Methods: A systematic review, analysis and summary of information found in the available literature with the authors' suggestions for supplementation. In May 2018 database searches were performed using the key word "genogram", including the PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and Scopus databases. Results and Conclusions: Including the use of genograms in nursing education makes nurses' activities in the area of disease prevention and health promotion based on this tool the primary and least expensive form of healthcare. Genograms can be used as a research tool for all patients. It has a high research potential, facilitating nursing diagnosis and the choice of the optimum care procedure. However, software should be developed and disseminated to facilitate the creation and management of genograms.