The family approach in primary care: new conceptual models.

The new conceptual models in family medicine stress the importance of the family as a system made up of individuals and subsystems. This system is influenced by life events, which may be normative or nonnormative. The ability of the family to cope with stressful life events is dependent on its functional state. Two practical models, the family APGAR and the Family Categories Schema, are illustrated. The knowledge of these conceptual models will help the family physician to assess and manage many problems presented by patients in his practice.