Clinical Approach
Medical Family Therapists (MedFTs) have had a large impact on the reduction of health disparities for underserved populations. Tyndall and colleagues (2014) were able to find numerous studies in which MedFTs worked with diverse patient populations and marginalized populations, which included specific diagnostic illnesses. MedFTs are well equipped to provide culturally sensitive care to individuals, couples, and families experiencing illness, trauma, health, or loss. Cultural humility, which is defined as a commitment to lifelong evaluation and reflection that considers the power imbalance of patient-provider relationships (Lewis et al., 2014), allows for continuous growth while working with various clients of diverse experiences, SES, cultures, ethnicities, gender identifications, sexual orientations, and levels of ability.
MedFTs provide clinical services from a systemic and biopsychosocial-spiritual framework. MedFTs may be employed as clinicians in private practice, community mental health, and hospitals and medical clinics. While there are a variety of clinical opportunities available, MedFTs receive specialized training in integrated care and are frequently employed in healthcare settings.
INTEGRATED CARE:
MedFTs are often clinically active in integrated care or collaborative care environments. Integrated care is defined as an approach for integrating the biological or physical and psychological or behavioral health of diverse patients (and their family or support system) within any healthcare setting (Unützer et al., 2013). MedFTs may function as part of a care team made up of physicians, nurses, behavioral health practitioners, case managers, recreational therapists, and more.
Integrated care can be practiced on a continuum of collaboration between medical care and behavioral health. Doherty and colleagues (1996) summarized five levels of integration, ranging from minimal collaboration to close collaboration in a fully integrated system. Find additional information about levels of integration here.
Two primary models of integration are the Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model and Collaborative Care Model (CoCM). Find additional information about models of integrated care here.
Tyndall and colleagues (2014) reported several clinical competencies for MedFTs based on a modified Delphi study that was conducted with several experts. Clinical competencies in MedFT include the following:
skills in providing integrated care
ability to empower patients to advocate for themselves in the healthcare system
awareness of and sensitivity to cultural and contextual variables pertaining to health, illness, loss, and trauma
recognizing the various disciplines involved with medical care and their role in the healthcare environment
facilitate communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers and invite coordination of services