Abstract
An understanding of the human developmental processes is a critical component of the family physician’s role in continuing care. Patients often present to physicians with the superficial complaint of a medical concern when the true underlying problem relates to an adjustment to their own development or the response of the family to that adjustment. Whenever medical conditions develop in a family member, they are likely to have some impact on other members. Such conditions may have a more powerful effect when the illness occurs at the time of common stress points in the family life cycle, such as the birth of the first child or when an adolescent has been “acting up.” Family physicians can be of great assistance in providing “anticipatory guidance,” reassurance regarding the normality of such experiences, or assistance for those with a difficult adjustment. This chapter addresses the developmental characteristics during each stage of life and their impact on the care of the patient. Additionally, because the older population experiences a significant increase in medical problems, special attention is paid to the impact of illness on this stage of the developmental process.
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Brummel-Smith, K., Mosqueda, L. (2003). Stages of Human Development. In: Taylor, R.B., David, A.K., Fields, S.A., Phillips, D.M., Scherger, J.E. (eds) Family Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-21744-4_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-21744-4_2
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