PSYCHOLOGY EDUCATION WORKSHOPS ARE AN INNOVATIVE METHOD OF OFFERING PSYCHOLOGICAL INPUT TO A WIDER POPULATION

Abstract

Abstract AIMS People diagnosed with brain tumours are well recognised as needing psychological support. Service provision is limited and can be diffcult to gain engagement. Providing psychology education workshops aims to be inclusive, bring patients and loved ones together and offer an opportunity for peer support. METHOD Patients who had finished or were coming to the end of their current treatment were invited to attend a psychology education workshop. Their loved ones were also invited to attend via the patient’s invitation letter. A clinic code was set up to enable us to monitor who was invited, who attended and importantly who did not. This also aimed to integrate the workshop into standard of care on completion of treatment. Feedback was obtained from attendees at the end of the workshop verbally as well as offering the opportunity to give anonymous written feedback. RESULTS On average a third of people invited attended each group. Half of these attended with one or more loved ones. 100% of attendees found the workshop helpful. Feedback included “Useful to realise that my emotions are similar to his” – Carer and “Having the shared experience of being here with (loved one) has started to open things up for us as a family” – Family member. CONCLUSIONS Patients and carers valued the workshop. This format offered a more accessible introduction to psychology. The workshop was enough to provide some patients and carers with strategies to look after their psychological well-being and served as a method of identifying those with greater need.