This article presents a multidisciplinary treatment approach for chronic illness. The impact of chronic illness on family functioning and the inclusion offamily treatment strategiesfor chronic disorders are discussed. Interaction patterms between thefamily, mental health professionals, and other health care professionals are presented. The role of the hospital mental health professional (e.g., family counselor, staff psychologist, social worker) as the coordinator of services andfacilitator of medical and psychotherapeutic cooperation is emphasized. It is proposed that a multidisciplinary approach will increase the family's ability to benefit from a variety of community resources and promote more adaptive responses to the introduction of chronic illness into thefamily system.
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