family history

family history,

an essential part of a patient's medical history in which he or she is asked about the health of members of the immediate family in a series of specific questions to discover any disorders to which the patient may be particularly vulnerable, such as "Has anyone in your family had tuberculosis? diabetes mellitus? breast cancer?" Hereditary and familial diseases are especially noted. The age and health of each person, age at death, and causes of death are charted. Often a genogram is developed for pictoral documentation. The family health history is obtained from the patient or family in the initial interview and becomes a part of the permanent record. Other questions, such as those concerning the age, sex, relationships of others in the household, and marital history of the patient, may also be asked if the information has not already been secured.

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family,

n 1. a group of people related by heredity, such as parents, children, and siblings. The term is sometimes broadened to include related by marriage or those living in the same household, who are emotionally attached, interact regularly, and share concerns for the growth and development of the group and its individual members.
2. a category of animals or plants situated on a taxonomic scale between order and genus.
3. the legal definition varies, depending on the jurisdiction and purpose for which the term is defined.

family counseling,

n a program that consists of providing information and professional guidance to members of a family concerning specific health matters.

family deductible,

n a deductible that is satisfied by combined expenses of all covered family members. A plan with a $25 deductible may limit its application to a maximum of three deductibles, or $75, for the family, regardless of the number of family members.

family dentistry,

n the branch of dentistry that is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of dental problems in people of either sex and at any age. Family dental professionals were formerly known as
general practitioners, and therefore family dentistry does not constitute one of the specialty areas of dentistry.

family history,

n a part of the medical history process; practitioner should ask patient about history of diseases or serious illness in family to determine if the patient might be predisposed to certain illnesses.

family membership,

n a membership that includes spouses and/or dependents.

family unit,

n an insured group member and dependents who are eligible for benefits under a dental care contract; an accounting unit.

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family history

A summary of diseases present in immediate blood relatives–eg cardiovascular disease, DM, malignancy, cancer, etc, which may be linked to hereditable DNA mutations. Cf Social history.