Psychological Preparation of Family for Harriet’s Surgery

Psychological Preparation of Family for Harriet’s Surgery
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Department of ABC, University – Whitewater
ABC 101: Course Name
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Psychological Preparation of Family for Harriet's Surgery
Harriet is a married 51-year-old scheduled for carpal tunnel surgery. In this operation, the surgeon makes an incision in the palm over the carpal tunnel ligament. Cutting through the ligament allows pressure to be relieved on the median nerve. Harriet has a history of cocaine and alcohol abuse. In the past four years, however, she has been attending AA and NA meetings regularly and has no reported urge to drink or use cocaine. As part of her recovery, she will be placed on 15mg per day of oxycodone. Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic used to treat severe pain. Because of the impact of Harriet's hospitalization and surgery (Raju & Reddy, 2017) on the family, coupled with her history of alcohol & cocaine, her streak without use or abuse, and the use of oxycodone (which is potentially addictive) following the surgery, it is essential to prepare the family. This acts to enhance Harriet's recovery through family support to help the family overcome the current circumstances.
What information would be most critical for the group leader to collect in the first visit?
In the first visit, the group leader will collect the most critical information, including demographics, medical history, history of drugs & substance abuse within the family, and sociodemographic factors like household income, education, and access to health services. Demographics include family information like the number of members, age, occupational status, and gender. This information is vital because it provides the family structure and how it may influence therapy strategies (Varghese et al., 2020). Further, such demographics provide an overview of the potential or strain of impact of Harriet's hospitalization on the family and its day-to-day living, such as attendance of school children or work burden on her husband and other members within her nuclear family.
Information on medical history is necessary to establish Harriet's record and current medication. The information is necessary because it allows selecting medications to enhance quick recovery after surgery. Further, such information can help shape medication based on potential interactions. Similarly, a history of drugs and substance abuse is critical because it allows the psychiatrists to plan for medication like oxycodone which could be potentially abused in the absence of other alternatives to abuse by family members or the patient. Sociodemographic factors like income, education, and access to health services can also reveal in-family strains that may impact Harriet's recovery and the daily living of family members. The level of education, for instance, can be influential in helping family members understand Harriet's needs and, therefore, provide solutions within the home.
What is the primary goal for treating this patient's family problem, based on the US clinical guidelines?
The primary goal for treating Harriet's family problem is to mobilize the family's strength and functional resources to overcome the current circum...