Role Of Self-help Groups Research Articles

Grief−The Role of Self-Help Group

Grief−The Role of Self-Help Group

The role of self-help groups in chronic illness management: A qualitative study

Self-help groups offer a unique form of support based on mutual understanding and the experiential knowledge of members. They constitute a potentially valuable resource for assisting people to manage chronic illness and its impacts. We conducted in-depth interviews with 15 members and the leaders of five chronic illness-related self-help groups in Newcastle, New South Wales. The focus was on small, voluntary groups with little or no external funding; agencies that are often overlooked in terms of their contribution to the health care system. Those interviewed readily identified benefits relating to quality of life, illness management, and interactions with health care professionals. Increased emotional and social support, access to an expanded information base, a better understanding of their illness, and a greater sense of confidence and control in relation to it seemed to enhance the capacity of members to engage in active self-management of their conditions. Along with such benefits, group leaders also highlighted some of the challenges faced by volunteers who run these agencies. Self-help groups are effective structures that can serve as an adjunct to clinical care and provide tangible benefits to their members. Further investigation and better recognition of these groups is warranted given their potential to assist those with chronic illness and to contribute to national policy objectives for chronic disease management such as those identified in the Sharing Health Care Initiative.

Parent-professional partnerships in caring for children with special needs: The role of self-help groups

Parent-professional partnerships in caring for children with special needs: The role of self-help groups

The views of professional on the role of self-help groups in the mental health area

AbstractObjectives:Changes in healthcare policy over the last decade emphasise care in the community over residential care. Self-help organisations may play a useful role in these circumstances. Against this background, the objective of this study was to obtain the views of members of the main mental health professions on the place of self-help groups in mental health care.Method:A postal survey of 255 mental health professionals from two health boards was carried out, using a semi-structured questionnaire that contained both open and closed questions. The responses obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis as appropriate.Results:The response rate was 35% so results must be interpreted cautiously. Self-help groups are used particularly in the management of addictive behaviours, and are also considered useful in cases of mood disorder. In general, self-help organisations are seen as providing support to patients and their families; information on mental illness/health to the general public; and lobbying for services relevant to the needs of their members. Respondents were concerned that the philosophy and programme of a group should not conflict with established models of mental health. The impact of the organisational structure of the multi-disciplinary team on the referral pattern of the different mental health professions, and the role of group availability and accessibility on the decision to refer a patient to a self-help group is commented upon.Conclusions:While some professionals see a role for self-help organisations in the mental health care system, reservations expressed about a possible clash between selfhelp groups' approach and professional mental healthcare practice need to be addressed so that the potential of both positions can be realised.

Depression

Part 1 Introduction: the background - extent and nature of the disorder, Eugene S.Paykel. Part 2 Causes of depression: depression - a radical social perspective, George W.Brown evolutionary and molecular genetic approaches to manic depression, Hugh M.D.Gurling neuroendocrine studies of the aetiology of depression, Stuart Checkley interactive models of depression - the evidence, Paul Bebbington and Peter McGuffin drug-related depression - clinical and epidemiological aspects, J.Guy Edwards. Part 3 The life cycle and depression: depression in adolescence, William Parry-Jones depression in the puerperiuma conceptual controversy, John L.Cox depression in the elderly, Elaine Murphy. Part 4 The management of depression: cognitive treatment for depression, Mark Williams developments in antidepressants, Stuart A.Montgomery suicide and the management of suicide attempts, Keith Hawton the recognition, diagnosis and acknowledgement of depressive disorder by general practitioners, Andre Tylee and Paul Freeling the role of self-help groups in the management of depression, Judy Wilson.

The role of self-help groups in helping patients and families cope with cancer.

Self-help processes of change are different and distinct from those of professional service and evolve empirically out of the patients' own experience. There is increasing evidence that self-help groups are beneficial, and their use should be encouraged. It is not a question of which system of change-self help or professional-is better. Both methods appear to have a meaningful role in helping individuals with psychosocial problems, including patients with cancer.

Lupus clients assisting one another: a model for supportive services.

Lupus clients face the challenge of dealing with a long-term illness that often produces multiple symptoms and follows an erratic course. As a result, they are often faced with the need for major lifestyle changes. Social support networks have been shown to be effective in promoting the necessary transition to successfully cope with many chronic illnesses. This article explores theoretical perspectives on the role of self-help groups in clients with a chronic illness. It also presents the experiment of one local community in developing a telephone help-line support system. A telephone help-line manned by lupus members can meet some of the needs of lupus clients. A model for developing similar self-help community services is presented. Ideas for future development of supportive services for lupus clients are discussed.

Self help groups: the fourth estate in medicine?

Here I suggest that we should recognise the rapidly growing contribution made by the many lay self help groups. I believe that we should add these as the fourth estate in medicine to Sir Theodore Fox's greater medical profession.1 To try to make up my own mind about the role of self help groups I saw some dozen people directly concerned with them and read some of the excellent academic analyses.2 51 looked at many of their publications and also circulated almost 70 doctors from the BMJ's list of referees with a questionnaire asking them about their knowledge of, as well as their attitudes towards, these groups. How does one define self help groups? Some of the definitions are long and intricate, some refer back to Samuel Smiles and Prince Kropotkin?two authors I haven't read and don't intend to read? and some would cover groups devoted purely to one purpose, such as the Patients' Association, the College of Health, and Action on Smoking and Health. The composite definition I've arrived at is: A self help group is a voluntary organisation, usually of peers, who have come together for mutual help and support, in satisfying a common need, overcoming a common handicap or life disrupting problem, and bringing about desired social or personal change, or both. There are now at least 1500 national self help organisations and over 25 000 regional branches. Clearly, no one is typical, but let's look at one as an example. I've chosen the National Eczema Society for several reasons: partly because its national office is just above mine in London; partly because it's middle of the road in its policies; and partly because I happen to know one of the medical advisers. The society was started in 1975, after a mother of an 8 year old had written to the Guardian.6 She suggested, among other things, Perhaps we should form a society for sufferers and their relatives.