Welcome

Welcome to JaniceMBell.com

WELCOME and THANK YOU for visiting my website. I am Janice M. Bell, RN, PhD, a leading international educator in Family Health and Healing and the co-creator of the Illness Beliefs Model.

My life’s work is focused on increasing the capacity of nurses and other health care professionals to care for families who are experiencing serious illness and distress.

* Please check back frequently as new content will be added once the new site is up and running!

Most Recent Blog

Family Nursing: An International Snapshot

I was in a meeting today and a colleague remarked that she wanted to know more about what was happening in family nursing in other countries (outside of the USA). I thought it might be useful to provide a brief snapshot of the published documents that highlight major family nursing developments within countries around the globe as well as nurses who have championed family nursing in these countries. This list is not meant to be exhaustive–simply the publications and people that I am aware of in order to provide a glimpse of the major developments in family nursing at an international level.

As an interesting footnote, my colleague Dr. Lorraine M. Wright has had extensive experience teaching and consulting within the international community of family nursing. She has recently started a blog in which she will offer her reflections about her work and learning during her travels.

Here is my snapshot of Family Nursing from an international perspective:

Family Nursing: An International Snapshot
Selected bibliography developed by Janice M. Bell, RN, PhD

Bell, J.M. (1995). It’s a small world. Journal of Family Nursing, 1(3), 352.

Bell, J. M., & Moules, N. J. (2005). Profiles in family nursing leadership: Innovative contributors [Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 11(4), 313-323. (Overview of individual contributions by family nursing leaders in Japan, Sweden, Brazil, Iceland, Thailand, United Kingdom, and Canada, Innovative Contribution to Family Nursing Award recipients, 7th International Family Nursing Conference, Victoria, Canada, 2005)

Brazil
Angelo, M. (2008). The emergence of family nursing in Brazil. Journal of Family
Nursing,14(4), 436-441. (Plenary address presented at the 8th International Family Nursing Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 2007)

Family Nursing Network (1998). Family Nursing Study Group: University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Journal of Family Nursing, 4(3), 339.

Canada
Bell, J.M., & Wright, L.M. (1990). Flaws in family nursing education. The Canadian Nurse, 86(6), 28-30.

Bell, J. M. (2007). Distinguished Contribution to Family Nursing Award. Tribute to Dr. Lorraine M. Wright [Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 13(1), 3-8. (Award presented at the 7th International Family Nursing Conference, Victoria, Canada, 2005).

Bell. J.M. (2008). The Family Nursing Unit, University of Calgary: Reflections on 25 years of clinical scholarship (1982-2007) and closure announcement [Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 14(3), 275-288.

Duhamel, F. (2010). Family nursing: How do we translate knowledge into clinical practice? Part II. The evolution of 20 years of teaching research, and practice to a Center of Excellence in Family Nursing. Journal of Family Nursing, 16(1), 8-25. (Plenary address presented at the 9th International Family Nursing Conference, Reykjavik, Iceland, 2009)

Duhamel, F., Dupuis, F., & Girard, F. (2010). Launching a Center of Excellence in Family Nursing, University of Montreal. Journal of Family Nursing, 16(1), 124-125.

Gottlieb, L. (2007). A tribute to the Calgary Family Nursing Unit: Lessons that go beyond family nursing [Editorial]. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 39(3), 7-11.

Leahey, M., & Svavarsdottir, E.K. (2009). Implementing family nursing: How do we translate knowledge into clinical practice? Journal of Family Nursing, 15(4), 445-460. (Plenary address presented at the 9th International Family Nursing Conference, Reykjavik, Iceland, 2009)

Limacher, L. H. (2007). Distinguished Contribution to Family Nursing Award: Dr. Maureen Leahey [Guest Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing 13(1), 9-12. (Award presented at the 7th International Family Nursing Conference, Victoria, Canada, 2005).

Wright, L.M., & Bell, J.M. (1989). A survey of family nursing education in Canadian universities. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 21, 59-74.

Chile
Bell, J. M. (1998). Postcard from Valdivia [Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 4(1), 3-7.

Finland
Åstedt-Kurki, P. (in press). Family nursing research for practice: The Finnish perspective. Journal of Family Nursing. (Plenary address presented at the 9th International Family Nursing Conference, Reykjavik, Iceland, 2009)

Åstedt-Kurki, P., Paavilainen, E., Paunonen, M., & Nieminen, H. (1998). Education of family nursing specialists at the University of Tampere, Finland. Journal of Family Nursing, 4(4), 350-357.

International Family Nursing Research Congress, Tampere, Finland (1999). Journal of Family Nursing, 5(4), 445-456.

Saveman, B-I. (2009). Distinguished Contribution to Family Nursing Award (2009): Päivi Åstedt-Kurki, PhD, RN. Journal of Family Nursing, 15(3), 267-272. (Award presented at the 9th International Family Nursing Conference, Reykjavik, Iceland, 2009).

Germany
Kean, S. (2002). First German family nursing textbook. Journal of Family Nursing, 8(4), 431-432.

Hong Kong
Simpson, P., Yeung, F. K. K., Kwan, A. T. Y., & Wah, W. K. (2006). Family Systems Nursing: A guide to mental health care in Hong Kong. Journal of Family Nursing, 12(3), 276-291.

Lee, A.C.K., Leung, S.O., Chan, P.S.L., Chung, J.O.K. (in press). Perceived level of
knowledge and difficulty in learning family assessment among senior undergraduate nursing students in Hong Kong. Journal of Family Nursing.

Iceland
Bell, J.M. (2010). Innovative Contribution to Family Nursing Award 2009: Anna
Stefánsdóttir, RN, MSc; Anna Ólafía Sigurðardóttir, RN, MS; Elísabet Konráðsdóttir, RN, MSc; and Eydís Kristín Sveinbjarnardóttir, RN, MSN. Journal of Family Nursing, 16(1), 3-7. (Award presented at the 9th International Family Nursing Conference, Reykjavik, Iceland, 2009).

Leahey, M., & Svavarsdottir, E.K. (2009). Implementing family nursing: How do we translate knowledge into clinical practice? Journal of Family Nursing, 15(4), 445-460. (Plenary address presented at the 9th International Family Nursing Conference, Reykjavik, Iceland, 2009)

Svavarsdottir, E. K. (2006). Listening to the family’s voice: Nordic nurses’ movement toward family centered care. Journal of Family Nursing, 12(4), 346-367. (Keynote address presented at the 2nd Nordic Conference on Family Focused Nursing, Kalmar, Sweden, 2006)

Svavarsdottir, E. K. (2008). Excellence in nursing: A model for implementing Family Systems Nursing in nursing practice at an institutional level in Iceland. Journal of Family Nursing, 4(4), 456-468. (Plenary address presented at the 8th International Family Nursing Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 2007)

Japan
Bell, J. M. (1999). Family nursing in Japan: A firsthand glimpse. Journal of Family Nursing 5(2), 236-238.

Bell, J. M. (2007). Remembering Dr. Chieko Sugishita. Journal of Family Nursing, 13(2), 278-280.

Kobayashi, N., & Bell, J. M. (2005). Profiles in family nursing leadership: Dr. Chieko Sugishita [Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 11(2), 87-89.

Michiko, M. (2008). Family nursing practice and education: What is happening in Japan? Journal of Family Nursing, 14(4), 442-455. (Plenary address presented at the 8th International Family Nursing Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 2007).

Sugishita, C. (1999). Development of family nursing in Japan — Present and future perspectives. Journal of Family Nursing, 5(2), 239-244.

Suzuki, K. (1995). Conference Report. First International Family Nursing Research Conference, Chiba University, Japan. Journal of Family Nursing, 1(1), 115-118.

New Zealand
Greenwood, S., Wright, T., & Nielsen, H. (2006). Highlights from the 7th International Family Nursing Conference: Plenary Address: Conversations in context: Cultural safety and reflexivity in child and family health nursing. Journal of Family Nursing, 12(2), 201-224. (Plenary address presented at the 7th International Family Nurisng Conference, Victoria, Canada, 2005).

Nigeria
Irinoye, O., Ogunfowokan, A., & Olaogun, A. (2006). Family nursing education and family nursing practice in Nigeria. Journal of Family Nursing, 12(4), 442-447.

Sweden
Benzein, E. & Saveman, B.-I. (2006). 2nd Nordic Family Nursing Conference in Kalmar, Sweden: A brief report. Journal of Family Nursing, 12(4), 344-345.

Benzein, E., Johansson, P., Arestedt, K.F., & Saveman, B.-I. (2008). Nurses’ attitudes about the importance of families in nursing care: A survey of Swedish nurses. Journal of Family Nursing, 14(2), 162-180.

Saveman, B-I. (2010). Family nursing research for practice: The Swedish perspective. Journal of Family Nursing, 16(1), 26-44. (Plenary address presented at the 9th International Family Nursing Conference, Reykjavik, Iceland, 2009)

Saveman, B.-I., & Benzein, E. (2001). Here come the Swedes! A report on the dramatic and rapid evolution of family-focused nursing in Sweden. Journal of Family Nursing, 7(3), 303-310.

Thailand
Bell, J.M. (2007). Innovative Contribution to Family Nursing Award 2007. Recognizing family nursing leaders in Thailand. Journal of Family Nurisng, 13(4), 503-508. (Award presented at the 8th International Family Nursing Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 2007)

Wacharasin, C., & Theinpichet, S. (2008). Family nursing practice, education, and research: What is happening in Thailand? Journal of Family Nursing, 14(4), 429-435. (Plenary address presented at the 8th International Family Nursing Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 2007)

United Kingdom
Baggaley, S., & Kean, S. (1999). Health visitors as family nurses: A discussion of research, policy and practice in the United Kingdom. Journal of Family Nursing, 5(4), 388-403.

Murray, I. (2008). Family Health Nurse Project – An education program of the World Health Organization: The University of Stirling experience. Journal of Family Nursing, 14(4), 469-485. (Plenary address presented at the 8th International Family Nursing Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 2007)

O’Sullivan Burchard, D. J. H., Claveirole, A., Mitchell, R., Walford, C., & Whyte, D. A. (2004). Family nursing in Scotland. Journal of Family Nursing, 10(3), 323-337

USA
Bell, J. M. (2007). Distinguished Contribution to Family Nursing Award: Dr. Marilyn M. Friedman [Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 13(3), 287-289. (Award presented at the 7th International Family Nursing Conference, Victoria, Canada, 2005).

Bell, J. M. (2007). Distinguished Contribution to Family Nursing Award: Dr. Perri J. Bomar [Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 13(3), 290-292. (Award presented at the 7th International Family Nursing Conference, Victoria, Canada, 2005).

Bell, J. M. (2008). Distinguished Contribution to Family Nursing Research Award (2007): Suzanne Feetham, PhD, RN, FAAN [Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 14(2), 147-150. (Award presented at the 8th International Family Nursing Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 2007)

Bell, J. M. (2008). Distinguished Contribution to Family Nursing Research Award (2007): The Research Team of Kathleen A. Knafl, Janet A. Deatrick, and Agatha Gallo [Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 14(2), 151-156. (Award presented at the 8th International Family Nursing Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 2007)

Bell, J. M. (2008). Distinguished Contribution to Family Nursing Research Award (2007): Catherine L. Gilliss, DNSc, RN, FAAN [Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 14(2), 157-161. (Award presented at the 8th International Family Nursing Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 2007)

Coehlo, D. P. (2010). National Council on Family Relations: Update on the Family Health Section. Journal of Family Nursing, 16(1), 126-127.

Eggenberger, S. (in press). Glen Taylor Nursing Institute for Family and Society: Advancing family nursing. Journal of Family Nursing.

Gilliss, C.L. (2008). Distinguished Contribution to Family Nursing Research Award (2007): Catherine “Kit” Chesla, DNSc, RN, FAAN [Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 14(1), 147-150. (Award presented at the 8th International Family Nursing Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 2007)

Feetham, S. (2008). Distinguished Contribution to Family Nursing Research Award
(2007): Marilyn McCubbin, PhD, RN, FAAN [Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 14(1), 3-10. (Award presented at the 8th International Family Nursing Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 2007)

Hanson, S.M.H., & Heims, M.L. (1992). Family nursing curricula in U.S. schools of nursing. Journal of Nursing Education, 31(7), 303-308.

Hanson, S., Heims, M., & Julian, D. (1992). Education for health care professionals: Nursing as a paradigm. Family Relations, 41, 49-53.

Kaakinen, J. (2007). Distinguished Contribution to Family Nursing Award: Dr. Shirley May Harmon Hanson [Guest Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 13(2), 151-156. (Award presented at the 7th International Family Nursing Conference, Victoria, Canada, 2005).

Knafl, K.A. (2009). Distinguished Contribution to Family Nursing Award 2009: Marcia
Van Riper, RN, PhD. Journal of Family Nursing, 15(1), 412-416. (Award presented at the 9th International Family Nursing Conference, Reykjavik, Iceland, 2009).

New Family and Society Endowed Nursing Faculty Chair and Nursing Institute, Mankato School of Nursing, Mankato, Minnesota, USA. (2008). Journal of Family Nursing, 14(3), 383-384.

Richards, E., & Lansberry, C. R. (1995). A national survey of graduate family nursing educators. Journal of Family Nursing, 1(4), 382-396.

Future Workshops

May 3-7, 2010   -   Bell, J.M. and Wright, L.M.
Families & Illness Externship
University of Calgary, Calgary Alberta.
Click here to download a PDF Brochure.



September 22-23, 2010
3rd Nordic Conference on Family-Focused Nursing - Plenary Address
Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
Click here to download a PDF Brochure

Please check back frequently for updates on future workshops and speaking engagements.

Featured Publications


    Wright, L.M., & Bell, J.M. (2009). Beliefs and Illness: A Model for Healing. Calgary, Alberta, Canada: 4th Floor Press.

    For more information visit the book website at www.illnessbeliefsmodel.com.

    To make arrangements to obtain your copy today simply send me an email at jmbell@ucalgary.ca.






    Journal of Family Nursing

    The Journal of Family Nursing is a forum for lively debate and critical dialogue on the nursing of families in health and illness.

    The Journal of Family Nursing is the first periodical devoted exclusively to family nursing bringing you the best in family nursing scholarship from a variety of perspectives.



I am a nurse educator and registered psychologist who provides international leadership in the field of Family Health with a particular focus on Family Systems Nursing theory, practice, and research.

I am the founding Editor of the Journal of Family Nursing and served as Director (2002-2007) of the Family Nursing Unit, University of Calgary. One of my most rewarding contributions is the co-development of the Illness Beliefs Model, a clinical intervention for reducing illness suffering in families.

My research and clinical scholarship focuses on increasing health care professionals' confidence and competence in collaborating with families experiencing serious illness. One of my research team's projects, “Understanding the process of therapeutic change in Family Systems Nursing Practice”, resulted in the development of the Illness Beliefs Model to guide practice with families.

My colleagues and I have taught this model to thousands of practicing health care professionals, graduate students, and academics in Canada, United States, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Brazil, Portugal, and Poland.



The Illness Beliefs Model


The Illness Beliefs Model is currently being examined in several research projects in Canada and around the world. I am excited to announce that a newly revised edition is now available! The REVISED Illness Beliefs Model is described in the following book:

          Wright, L.M., & Bell, J.M. (2009). Beliefs and Illness: A Model for Healing.
          Calgary, Alberta, Canada: 4th Floor Press.


For more information on the book please visit the new book website at www.illnessbeliefsmodel.com.



Consultation With Dr. Bell


Email jmbell@ucalgary.ca to request information about sponsoring a workshop, consultation, or training event with Dr. Bell at your agency or in your country. A "Workshop Sponsor's Packet" that includes information about cost, marketing, scheduling, etc. is available upon request.

I offer consultation to families and health care professionals in the following areas:

  • Clinical practice models for family focused care including:
         (Illness Beliefs Model, Trinity Model, Calgary Family Assessment and Intervention Models)
  • Beliefs and illness
  • Mastering the challenges of illness
  • Repairing family relationships
  • Addressing and diminishing illness suffering
  • Family health research
  • Family intervention research
  • Curriculum innovation and program development for collaborative care and practice with families
  • Manuscript development and publication