Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40012168›Full record

SynthesisPrimary health care research & development2025

Considering family trees as a useful tool in family medicine: a systematic review.

Ksenija Tušek-Bunc, Alem Maksuti, Danica Rotar-Pavlič

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Primary health care research & development, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Ksenija Tušek-BuncDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.ORCID 0000-0003-1474-9090
Alem MaksutiPersuasion d.o.o., Ljubljana, Slovenia.ORCID 0009-0002-9548-0790
Danica Rotar-PavličDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.ORCID 0000-0001-7575-3195

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimThe aim of this study was to perform a systematic literature review of the purpose, design, and use of family trees by family physicians (FPs).

backgroundFamily trees offer a valuable contribution to understanding the relevance of the patient's family history in comprehensive primary healthcare provision. There is little research on the role of family trees in the everyday practice of FPs. Studies often focus on specific diseases and their context: however, a comprehensive exploration of the usefulness of family trees is crucial for FPs.

methodsA systematic literature review was conducted through a keyword search in the PubMed and Cochrane databases. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria selected, 24 studies were identified and a qualitative analysis was performed.

findingsA total of 369 publications were identified across 32 fields. Twenty-four studies were included in the final analysis according to the QUOROM statement. The results underscore the role of family trees and highlight the value of this tool's multidimensionality. The use of this tool directs FPs to consider a genetic cause and a possible referral to a geneticist. The value of a family tree lies in the personalized patient-oriented treatment in connection with hereditary risks for chronic diseases. For FPs, the greatest challenge in treating patients is determining their risk of developing a chronic disease or cancer. Using a family tree can improve the quality of their healthcare.

Indexed as

Family PracticeMedical History TakingPedigreeHumansPrimary Health Carefamily historyfamily medicinefamily treessystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40012168
PMCPMC11883793

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.