Ecomaps
Produce a visual chart of a patient’s relationships to identify which positively or negatively affect your patient. Download and use our ecomap templates for free.
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What is an Ecomap?
An ecomap is a chart or visual tool practitioners use to explore and highlight a patient's relationships. Usually, practitioners check the patient’s connection between and among their family, friends, and environment, such as work or school. The purpose of checking the connections is to identify any of the following:
- Support systems of a patient, especially when they need to be cared for
- Which of the relationships may be a factor that played a role in causing or aggravating the physical symptoms the patient feels
- The differing dynamics of relationships to narrow down which relationships to foster for the patient’s benefit
What an ecomap may look like will depend on the referring practitioner’s preference. However, they all have a unifying look. Generally, the patient’s name is located in the center, their relationships are written around them, and particular lines symbolize the dynamic or status of relationships.
If you’re a healthcare practitioner and think you’ll benefit from having an ecomap, we have an ecomap template just for you.
You can choose to either:
- Use our template as is and fill it out
- Edit it further
- Have it beside you while you create a customized one from scratch
Want a copy? Keep reading for more information on how to use and download a copy.
Printable Ecomap
Download this Ecomap to identify and evaluate your patient’s relationships.
How does it work?
Step One. Download the Template
Access and download a copy of our printable ecomap template by doing either of the following:
- Clicking the “Use this Template” or “Download Template” button above
- Searching for “Ecomap” in Carepatron’s template library on our website or app
Step Two. Fill Out the Template
You can give your client a copy of the template to write down their answers or have them enumerate and describe their relationships.
To help you out when it comes to connecting the relationships and your patient, here’s a list of the different types of lines and their corresponding relationship status:
- Solid Line: Strong and healthy relationship
- Broken Line: Weak relationship
- Zigzag Line: Stressful relationship
You may change the thickness of the line to signify the intensity of a relationship and add arrowheads to signify the direction of the flow of interest, resources, etc.
Step Three. Process the Chart with the Client
Once the worksheet is completed, you must carve out time to process the chart with the client. We leave it up to you how you will discuss the content with your patient and, if they request, suggest the following steps to dealing with their relationships.
Step Four. Store Securely
Since this template carries sensitive information, don’t forget to secure the document and your notes in a secure physical location or HIPAA-compliant EMR/EHR like Carepatron.
Ecomap Example (Sample)
Here’s an example of a filled-out Ecomap PDF template. This will give you an idea of how this assessment may look when completed.
For an offline copy you can use as a reference in the future, click the sample below or click the “Download Example PDF” button above.
Download this Ecomap Example:
When would you use this Template?
Our ecomap template is versatile and can be used by various practitioners for any purpose. If you need ideas on how to make the most out of the ecomap template, here are three examples:
- Aside from writing down the family members’ names and dynamics, you can also include details of harmful habits or behavior of each member to see if the patient is influenced or affected.
- For friends, on the other hand, you can use an ecomap to identify which relationship the patient must foster or end for the benefit of their physical or mental health.
- You can create multiple ecomaps for every relationship group (e.g., one for family, one for friends, and one for the environment) to pinpoint support systems or possible causes for the patient’s physical or mental health conditions.
These are simply a few of the many things you can do with an ecomap, and we’ll leave it up to your expertise and creativity on how to use our template.
Benefits
Aid in Identifying Causes or Diagnosis/Treatment Formulation
When a patient’s lifestyle, behavior, or accident is lacking as proof of the presentation or worsening of a patient’s symptoms, practitioners can utilize our ecomap template to trace which of the patient’s relationships may play a factor. And should the information during the patient’s initial assessment prove sufficient, practitioners can use our ecomap template as an additional resource when formulating a long-term treatment plan.
Empowering
In certain situations, having the patient list down which relationships are affecting them negatively or identifying which of their friends or family members are their support systems is enough to help them out. The knowledge can empower them to cut people from their lives or reach out to them for a shoulder to lean on.
Establish Baselines for Comparison Later On
Aside from a guide, practitioners can also use the ecomap as a baseline to see if the treatment or changes in a patient’s relationship status positively affect their mental or physical health.
Fully Digital
Since our free ecomap templates are entirely digital, you can download and access them on any available gadget. Furthermore, you can fill them out on a local PDF editor or right on Carepatron. If you customize it on Carepatron, you don’t have to worry about storage because Carepatron doubles as a HIPAA-compliant, secure EMR/EHR where you can keep your documents.
Why use Carepatron as your Ecomap app?
Beyond being software where you can obtain a guide and template of ecomaps, Carepatron is also a leading practice management software that will equip you with the means and tools to automate administrative tasks and streamline processes.
When you download Carepatron’s app on your desktop or iOs/Android mobile devices, you’ll see that you can access more than our ecomap template editor. Here’s a glimpse of what you can get on Carepatron:
- Over 600 editable, downloadable, and printable PDF templates of medical documents like surveys, guides, assessments, and tests.
- A template creator, scanner, and uploader, in case you can’t find one in our library.
- A HIPAA-compliant, secure EHR system for your digital notes and client’s medical records.
- Calendar and video call solution integrations for ease of scheduling and teleconsultation
- An automated payment system you can set up for your client
All of these and more are right on Carepatron! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to efficiently accomplish your tasks by signing up today!
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References
Jenson, K., & Cornelson, B. M. (1987). Eco-maps: a systems tool for family physicians. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 33, 172–177.
Kaunda-Khangamwa, B. N., Kapwata, P., Malisita, K., Munthali, A., Chipeta, E., Phiri, S., & Manderson, L. (2020). Adolescents living with HIV, complex needs and resilience in Blantyre, Malawi. AIDS research and therapy, 17(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-020-00292-1
Ray, R. A., & Street, A. F. (2005). Ecomapping: an innovative research tool for nurses. Journal of advanced nursing, 50(5), 545–552. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2005.03434.x
Rempel, G. R., Neufeld, A., & Kushner, K. E. (2007). Interactive use of genograms and ecomaps in family caregiving research. Journal of family nursing, 13(4), 403–419. https://doi.org/10.1177/1074840707307917
Commonly asked questions
Practitioners who believe that their patient’s relationships or environment play a factor in their behavior or diagnosis. To be more specific, practitioners who are most likely to benefit from having an ecomap template on hand are:
- Family Physicians
- Therapists
- Caregivers
Ecomaps can be used whenever the practitioner deems it necessary. The practitioner may give it to the patient before their session so they have a guide or basis for the flow of their conversation. Alternatively, they can provide a copy during the consultation or assessment before the practitioner formulates a diagnosis or treatment plan.
Using an ecomap is as simple as filling out empty spaces with the patient’s family members, friends, or environment and drawing different lines based on the relationship legend provided.
