CPSD - Research - Family Health Program

Our society and government recognizes the important role families serve in caring for patients with medical disorders. The role of family members has become even more important as medical treatments have improved survival rates for many disorders at the same time hospital lengths of stay are being reduced by cost-containment efforts. Currently, family issues are addressed to only a limited degree by VCU academic and clinical departments, which often operate independently. A family support and research center will serve to improve the effectiveness of VCU’s family programs by identifying, pooling and coordinating resources in a cost-effective manner. Serving as a resource to the university and region, the FSRC will enhance the effectiveness of VCU’s clinical programs and the productivity and funding of family research programs. Emphasis will be placed on meeting the needs of under-served populations.

To bring together researchers and clinicians for interdisciplinary collaboration.
To improve the quality and diversity of support, education, and referral programs for family members.
To improve the quality of research relating to families and increase the availability of funding to VCU researchers.
To enhance outcomes and quality of life for persons with medical conditions and their family members.
To improve the quality and diversity of family intervention and research training experiences for students.
To enhance the efficiency of resource utilization at VCU relating to clinical and research programs.
To improve the dissemination of information about VCU’s family clinical and research resource.

Our mission
Family members often play an important role in caring for patients with chronic medical conditions. Family members’ ability to care for patients is often adversely affected by grief, the need to take on new responsibilities, a lack of information and the limited availability of resources. The primary role of the VCU Family Support and Research Center is to strengthen the families of persons with medical disorders through interdisciplinary research, training, and implementation of family support and education programs.

Partnerships
The interdisciplinary center includes faculty from academic and clinical departments. Representation includes, but is not limited to, persons with expertise in psychology, social work, rehabilitation counseling, oncology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, nursing, psychiatry, and clergy. We are sensitive to issues of culture and diversity so we can best serve regional needs.

Departments of Pediatrics; Psychology; Social Work; Nursing; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Hematology/Oncology, Massey Cancer Center; and The Center for Psychological Services and Development.

Research, training and support/education

Research programs include, but are not limited to, the following:

Evaluate the impact of medical disorders on family members’ psychological well-being, roles in the family and family functioning.
Evaluate the benefits of family support and education programs on the outcomes of patients and their need for continuing medical services.
Evaluate the benefits of family support and education programs on family members psychological well-being and needs, and family functioning.
Evaluate socioeconomic and cultural factors on family members’ needs and ability to benefit from support and education programs.

Training programs for medical, allied health and mental health professionals include, but are not limited to, the following:

Undergraduate and graduate courses practicum, internship and postdoctoral clinical training experiences.
Continuing professional education programs including lectures, workshops and on-line courses.
Competency certification programs.

Family support and education, a direct service role, includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Development of workshops and training sessions to enhance family members’ coping skills.
Development of booklets and audiovisual materials to educate family members about medical disorders and their role in caring for patients and community resources.
Development of regional and statewide referral networks for family members who desire support and education services.