An eco map, also referred to as an eco graph, is a diagrammatic representation of an individual’s personal and social relationships with his/her environment (Bennett, 2011). The eco map was developed by Dr. Ann Hartman in 1975, and it documents the interaction of people, their families, and the external environment. An eco map enables one to not only see the connection, but to also visualize the quality of the interaction between people and their environments. Words such as “positive and nurturing” and “negative and wrought with stress” are used to describe the relationships between families and their external environment (Kaakinen et al., 2014). The eco map is an essential tool in discovering the sources of mental disabilities and illness. Using an eco map also facilitates the revelation of support systems for patients, for example friends, church, and neighbors, among other systems (Kaakinen et al., 2014).
The eco map for a family can either be drawn by the client or the social workers and nurses. Health care professionals use information gathered during the assessment phase to draw the eco map. Symbols are used to represent the family units and the connection between the family members and their external environment. Wright and Leahey (2012) outlined the best practices for creating a good eco map. When creating an eco map, one should begin by identifying the client whose problem is being solved. For this paper, my family was identified as the client. The care worker or client should then identify the relevant systems – social and environmental – to the client. Relevant systems should include any system that has an impact on the client’s life. Each of the relationship between the client and the external systems should then be highlighted and specified (Parker & Bradley, 2014).
Arrows are used to specify the relationships while arrowheads are used to indicate the direction influence between each identified relationship. Adding a data is also highlighted as another best practice when creating an eco map (Bennett, 2011). Evaluation of the results of the eco map is important in understanding the client and the relationships that have an impact on them. The evaluation process enables the care worker to determine the next course and it can also stimulate asking more questions to further understand the client and his/her relationships. Eco maps are based on different theoretical frameworks.
Geno-gram
The relationship between families and the quality of these relationships can also be highlighted using a geno-gram. Also developed by Dr. Ann Hartman, a geno-gram graphically represents a family tree. Unlike a family tree, the geno-gram highlights the “hereditary patterns and psychological factors that punctuate a relationship” (Demaria, Weeks & Hof, 2013). While an eco map focuses on revealing the relationship between an individual and his/her external environment, the gen-gram focuses on highlighting and revealing a client’s family history that could have an impact on the current state of the patient (Demaria, Weeks & Hof, 2013). A geno-gram, unlike the eco map, is highly detailed, as it contains a wealth of information that cannot be included in a pedigree chart.
The geno-gram contains information such as the gender, name, and date of birth/death, cause of death, major illnesses, and relationships regarding the different members of the family. Evaluation of a geno-gram helps unearth important information about genetic diseases and relationships that have impacts on the quality of health of the clients. Care givers utilize such information to identify health patterns that are prevalent in a family. In addition, the geno-gram provides an efficient communication tool and channel between the caregivers and their clients (Parker & Bradley, 2014). Like the eco map, it is imperative to adhere to best practices when creating a geno-gram. Adhering to best practices such as including dates enhances the evaluation and decision-making processes.
Analysis of the Eco Map
The eco map highlights the current social status of O.A’s family. O.A is 54 years old and has three children; two females aged 28 and 30 years and a male aged 25 years. The 30 year old female has two female children. External factors identified to have an impact on O.A are work, family, friends, religion, money, mental health, and housing. O.A has a weak connection with mental health and religion. The relationship between the client and friends, family and housing can be described as a strong connection, while the connection between the client and work and money can be described as a stressful connection.
The direction of the arrows indicates that energy, resources, and interests flow both ways from the client to the external factors, except for the client’s relationship with housing, religion, and mental health. The weak connection between the client and religion and mental health indicates that the client directs interests and energies towards these external factors, but doesn’t receive substantial support from them. The connection between the client and housing is strong, but the direction of the arrow indicates that the client directs energies and resources to housing but receives insignificant support from the same. The connection between the client and money and work is stressful, but the direction of the arrow indicates that the client gives and receives to and from these factors.
Analysis of the Geno-Gram
The geno-gram provides the historical relationship of a family through various generations. The geno-gram presented in this case highlights the lives of a family through five generations. The geno-gram indicates important information about the members of the family, including the dates of birth/death, relationships, and major illnesses. An evaluation of the geno-gram indicates that the members of this family have been adversely affected by chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, asthma, and diabetes. The geno-gram also reveals mental health disorders are common in this family, as evidenced by cases of depression and bipolar condition.
Lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity and high cholesterol are also highlighted as prevalent in the family. The family goal for this family is to identify the particular risk factors to lifestyle diseases. Identifying the specific risk factors will enhance development of the best plan for care. Risk factors can be categorized into modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Modifiable factors are issues that can be adjusted to prevent diseases, while non-modifiable factors cannon be adjusted. Genetics is an example of a non-modifiable factor that cannot be adjusted.
It is evident from the geno-gram that the family is genetically predisposed to these illnesses. An evaluation of the geno-gram elicits questions such as those related to physical health, nutrition, and access to health care among the members of this family. Physical inactivity and poor nutrition are main causative factors of lifestyle diseases. Lack of access to care services also complicates health and wellbeing of individuals. Developing a plan of care that focuses on modifying the modifiable factors that predispose this family to lifestyle diseases is therefore critical in reducing the prevalence and impact of these diseases.
References
Bennett, R. L. (2011). The practical guide to the genetic family history. Hoboken: John Wiley
& Sons.
DeMaria, R., Weeks, G., & Hof, L. (2013). Focused genograms: Intergenerational
Kaakinen, J. R., Coehlo, D. P., Steele, R., Tabacco, A., & Hanson, S. M. H. (2014). Family
health care nursing: Theory, practice, and research. Philadelphia: FA Davis.
Parker, J., & Bradley, G. (2014). Social work practice: Assessment, planning, intervention
and review. New York: Learning Matters.
Wright, L. M., & Leahey, M. (2012). Nurses and families: A guide to family assessment and intervention. Philadelphia: FA Davis.
