A medical genogram is helpful in determining patterns of disease or illness within a family. And, a knowledge of diseases and illnesses that 'run' in families can give individuals an important head start in pursuing effective preventive measures.

Knowledge of diseases and conditions that occur within a family can give a health care team invaluable information that may aid in a swift, accurate diagnosis and treatment of health problems. In medicine, medical genograms provide a quick and useful context in which to evaluate an individual's health risks. Genealogists can use genograms to discover and analyze interesting facts about their family history, such as a naming pattern, sibling rivalry, or significant events like immigration. Genograms allow the genealogist to graphically portray complex family trees that show marriages and divorces, reconstituted families, adoptions, strained relationships, family cohesion, etc. In genealogy, genograms are used to record family history through the lives of each of its members. Jack Dikian), for example provide an extended set of symbols, relational markers and conventions that assist in recording and presenting structures associated with more formal service systems. Genograms and Sociograms have been used effectively to support and facilitate such approaches as in the case of Systemic Consultation. More recently there has been an increase in the recognition and use of systemic therapies and methods to augment more traditional behaviour assessment, clinical formulation and case consultation. Some practitioners in personal and family therapy use genograms for personal records and/or to explain family dynamics to the client. Genograms are now used by various groups of people in a variety of fields such as medicine, psychiatry, psychology, social work, genetic research, education, and many more. Genograms were later developed and popularized in clinical settings by Monica McGoldrick and Randy Gerson through the publication of a book titled Genograms: Assessment and Intervention in 1985. Murray Bowen invented the concept of the genogram as part of his family systems model in the 1970s. It can be used to identify repetitive patterns of behavior and to recognize hereditary tendencies. It goes beyond a traditional family tree by allowing the user to visualize hereditary patterns and psychological factors that punctuate relationships. ( February 2011) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)ДЄ genogram (also known as a McGoldrickвЂ“Gerson study, a Lapidus schematic or a family diagram ) is a pictorial display of a person's family relationships and medical history. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations.

Medical genogram symbols