Families dealing with severely ill children may now play a more active role in the child’s recovery. A study conducted by Texas Tech University Marriage and Family Therapy faculty has found that family therapy works as a positive addition to medical treatment. “Medical family therapy is a proven benefit for children and families dealing with a serious illness,” said Linda Hoover, a dean at Texas Tech. “With this new research, we can begin treating more children and their families and hopefully improve recovery and responsiveness to illness.”

The study involved over 300 families willing to undergo the therapy treatment. Faculty at Texas Tech teamed up with Covenant Children’s Hospital, and the sessions were worked into the regular treatment schedule. The results taken from the study indicated that families were better able to deal with the difficult emotional situations they were faced with after having therapy sessions. The therapy was provided to families of patients in pediatric intensive care, oncology, and neonatal intensive care units. “We have consistently seen the benefits of medical therapy to our patients and their families as they go through challenging times,” said Dr. Melanie Oblender, a pediatric oncologist at Covenant Children’s Hospital. “Our goal is to continue to implement these therapists as a core part of the treatment team in order to better aide patients through the treatment process.”

Information retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070823215331.htm