R. O's Genogram Case Study Examples

The purpose of this paper is to review the findings from the genogram completed on patient R.O. A genogram is a graphical depiction of a family tree that not only shows an individual’s familial relationships, but also includes each family member’s medical history for at least three generations (Casado-Kehoe & Kehoe, 2006). The genogram enables viewers to better visualize risk factors for major health issues passed from parent to child such as diabetes, cardiac disease, and cancer through a graphical depiction of which family member exhibited the traits and who they may have passed them on to in the family. These risk factors can be genetic, environmental, or learned such as eating healthy and exercising. We will review R.O.’s family medical history and risks associated with his family history as well as analyze the genetic traits identified through the development of R.O.’s genogram.

By examining R.O.’s genogram, we can see that R.O. is a 67-year old male with a significant family history of cancer in various forms. His father, Cecil, was diagnosed with

We can see the genealogical contribution to the diabetic risk when we notice R.O.’s maternal aunt, Melva, father, and two paternal uncles, Bill and JR, were afflicted with diabetes. While the genetic risk factor for diabetes is not the sole determining factor in whether or not an individual develops diabetes, a pattern can be seen in the genogram and R.O. should be made aware of his increased risk due to his genetic makeup. Hypertension can also be seen in his genogram when looking at his paternal grandmother, father, and maternal aunt, Lela Mae. Again, the genetic risk factor is not the sole risk factor, but R.O. should be made aware of this risk factor so he can change his modifiable risk factors, such as BMI greater than 30, and be monitored for the development of