Medical Genogram Tutorial
A teaching genogram demonstrating how to document and visualize medical conditions across a family using modern medical categories with color-coding....
Interactive Medical Genogram Tutorial
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About This Genogram
A teaching genogram demonstrating how to document and visualize medical conditions across a family using modern medical categories with color-coding. Covers all major medical categories: heart disease, cancer, diabetes, mental health, substance use, neurological conditions, respiratory illness, autoimmune disorders, genetic conditions, reproductive issues, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD. Shows how hereditary conditions cluster in families across generations for genetic risk assessment.
Key Patterns in This Genogram
Symbol Reference
Standard genogram symbols and notation demonstrated in context.
Template Structure
Proper genogram layout and organization for academic assignments.
Learning Framework
A teaching tool for understanding family systems theory in practice.
Pattern Analysis
This 3-generation genogram maps 12 family members with birth years spanning from 1932 to 1998, comprising 6 males and 6 females (2 deceased). The genogram tracks 15 medical/psychological condition categories. The index patient is Rachel Dixon (b. 1992), veterinary technician.
The family system encompasses 3 generations with distinct patterns at each level. The oldest generation includes Harold, Virginia, Earl and 1 other, with 4 presenting documented conditions. The middle generation includes Diane, James, Mark, with 3 presenting documented conditions. The youngest generation includes Rachel, Kevin, Amy and 2 others, with 5 presenting documented conditions.
Medical and psychological conditions are documented in 12 of 12 family members (100%). Cardiovascular conditions appear in 3 members (Harold, Mark, Scott). Cancer diagnoses appear in 2 members (Virginia, Diane). Diabetes appear in 2 members (Ruth, Scott), affecting 1 female and 1 male. Comorbidity is observed in 9 family members, with Virginia presenting 2 concurrent condition categories. The multigenerational prevalence of cardiovascular conditions suggests both genetic predisposition and possible environmental or behavioral transmission pathways.
As a teaching resource, this genogram demonstrates standard McGoldrick–Gerson notation in a realistic family context. Students can practice identifying key patterns: multigenerational transmission, family life cycle stages, and the interplay between structural relationships and emotional processes. This example serves as a foundation for understanding how genograms organize complex family information into a clinically useful visual format.
Genogram Symbols Used in This Example
The following standard genogram symbols appear in the Medical Genogram Tutorial. Each symbol follows McGoldrick and Gerson clinical notation conventions.
Person Symbols
- Male (Square)
- A square represents a male family member in standard genogram notation.
- Female (Circle)
- A circle represents a female family member in standard genogram notation.
Status Markers
- Deceased (X)
- An X drawn through the symbol indicates the person is deceased.
- Index Patient (Arrow)
- An arrow pointing to a person identifies them as the index patient — the individual who is the focus of the clinical assessment.
Structural Relationships
- Marriage
- A solid horizontal line connecting two individuals represents a marriage or committed partnership.
- Parent-Child
- A vertical line descending from a couple line to a child symbol represents a parent-child relationship.
Medical Conditions
- Anxiety Conditions
- Shading in the genogram symbol indicates anxiety-spectrum diagnoses (GAD, panic disorder, phobias, OCD).
- Depressive Disorders
- Shading indicates depressive conditions (major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder).
- Mental Health Conditions
- Shading indicates psychological or psychiatric conditions beyond anxiety and depression.
- Cardiovascular Conditions
- Shading indicates heart disease, hypertension, stroke, or other cardiovascular conditions.
- Cancer
- Shading indicates any cancer diagnosis, with specifics noted in the individual's record.
- Diabetes
- Shading indicates Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
- Trauma/PTSD
- Shading indicates post-traumatic stress disorder or complex trauma responses.
- Genetic Conditions
- Shading indicates inherited genetic disorders (sickle cell, hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, etc.).
- Neurological Conditions
- Shading indicates neurological disorders (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy, etc.).
- Respiratory Conditions
- Shading indicates chronic respiratory conditions (asthma, COPD, etc.).
- Autoimmune Conditions
- Shading indicates autoimmune disorders (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, etc.).
- Other Medical
- Shading indicates medical conditions not captured by other categories.
Related Resources
- Use this example as a reference for genogram assignments in family therapy courses.
- Our guide for genograms for psychology students explains the notation used in this example.
- Start with simple genogram examples if you are new to genogram notation.
- The deceased symbol (X through the shape) marks family members who have passed away.
- The marriage symbol connects partnered individuals in this genogram.
Frequently Asked Questions
What clinical patterns does the Medical Genogram Tutorial genogram reveal?
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What genogram symbols are used in the Medical Genogram Tutorial example?
Can I build a similar genogram for my own clinical cases?
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Create Your Own Genogram
Use GenogramAI to build your own family genogram with AI assistance. Describe your family and let AI do the rest.
Educational disclaimer: This genogram example is an educational illustration of genogram notation and family systems concepts. Examples based on public figures use publicly available information. They are not clinical documents. All examples are intended for learning genogram symbols and patterns.