Gordon's functional health patterns is a method to organize information around the family assessment that uses a systems approach (Edelman, Kudzma, Mandle, 2014). The standardized format allows for identification of developmental stages and the associated risk factors.
This standardized format will allow the nurse to identify any potential risk factors that can lead to potential dysfunction. This system of inquiry can allow the nurse to methodically assess the family and help identify other areas that may need further assessment.
This theory appeals to me because of the standardized format. It goes system by system and allows the nurse to build from one finding to another.
Because families come from different backgrounds and are at different stages it can be difficult to compare one family unit to another. The functional health patterns approach allows for a detailed assessment regardless of the family makeup.
This can be applied to families with young preschool kids or families that have college age kids and newborn children. For this reason, this guide appeals to me.