One aspect of the U.S. healthcare model is that it is typically patient-focused rather than focusing on the entire family system. This is primarily due to how the payment model is designed as there are few financial incentives to address the health of a member of a patient’s family. Research indicates that the ill patients’ spouse, children, and caregivers (such as a sibling or other relative) will often experience a reduction in their quality of life, especially if the illness of their family member is severe and chronic. Family members report feelings and thoughts such as helplessness, strain, vulnerability, and suffering. For example, a health professional will notice that a spouse of a chronically ill patient is severely depressed, but normally it does not fall within his or her official job responsibilities and duties to address the health of the spouse. This structure within our health care model is important to note, as you will interact with many family members of your patients. It is possible to have tunnel vision and to only focus on the health of the patient, and ignore the fact that the patient is a member of a family unit. Upon discharge from the hospital, the patient’s health may be compromised due to the depressed spouse’s inability to provide proper care such as administering medications and providing needed emotional support. In such cases, a remedy would be for a physician or a nurse to make a referral to a social worker or chaplain to address the health of the family member.