DNP 810 What model would you use to create a multigenerational family health history for a patient? Re: Topic 3 DQ 1

DNP 810 What model would you use to create a multigenerational family health history for a patient?

Re: Topic 3 DQ 1

Understanding family health history is imperative in helping to assess the risk for disease in other family members. The greater the number, the greater the risk. A 2019 report noted that by using family health history tools, data improvement increased by over 46% (Ginsburg et al., 2019). A structured pedigree can be formed using the tool rather than standard data recording.

For many years people have been collecting family data and recording it as history. My own family has spent countless days in libraries, public record offices, and even family cemeteries trying to track down the family tree. Something that was always intriguing, but in hindsight is highly beneficial, is the record of the cause of death and any reference to medical issues suffered. Although record-keeping in the 1800s was not great, families kept records without even realizing that is what they were doing. Family Bibles are full of information and were used for this reason (Tabler, 2019). Bibles came with ledgers to record the family’s births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and illnesses.

Welch et al. (2018) reviewed 17 different family history tools and noted the differences and abilities of each. It was found that each had its own pros and cons based on what the individual needed. Some strictly catered to the patient or family, while others included a provider aspect. And several were clinician-supported only. Depending on the function desired, there is a family history tool available. MyLegacy and MyTree are the only two on the list that allowed for family and clinician decision support. While MyLegacy is the only one of the two that has genetic support services affiliated with them.

Choosing a model will most definitely need to be based on what the family and clinician are looking for. From major diseases only to subcategories or genetic testing along with collaborative support. These requirements are the ones that must need be decided before choosing a model to fit.

References

Ginsburg, G. S., Wu, R., & Orlando, L. A. (2019). Family health history: Underused for actionable risk assessment. The Lancet, 394(10198), 596–603. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(19)31275-9

Tabler, D. (2019, September 20). The family bible. Appalachian History. https://www.appalachianhistory.net/2019/09/family-bible.html

Welch, B. M., Wiley, K., Pflieger, L., Achiangia, R., Baker, K., Hughes-Halbert, C., Morrison, H., Schiffman, J., & Doerr, M. (2018). Review and comparison of electronic patient-facing family health history tools. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 27(2), 381–391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-018-0235-7