The Problem Family and Community Medicine

Summary: The problem family and community medicine. The characteristics of problem families are described and especially their dependency upon the social services. They are of increasing importance to community medicine since as shown by the literature their members form 5—10% of the total population and use from 50–80% of the total social and corrective services. The social pathology of 16 root and 110 sub‐families was investigated; enquiries have also been made into the family dynamics and especially child rearing, learning problems and ill health. Infections, injuries and childhood disorders are particularly frequent. There are administrative advantages in regarding these families as socially handicapped.