Patient support groups

Patient Support Groups At some point during your time as a nurse, you may be asked to organize or host a support group for patients. Okay, let’s face it, sometimes these extra assignments seem to be added on to an already full plate, and who needs that? Consider this:If you were asked to be in charge of a support group, it is a compliment. It reflects on your ability to handle the assignment, so make the best of it and host a great support group.

The Purpose of a Support Group The main purpose of any support group is just as the name implies, support.

Such groups let participants know they are not alone, there are others like them, and they all seek the same thing, answers, help, and a way to cope with their condition. Depending on the nature of the Support Group, meetings may be anything from monthly, weekly, daily, and down to multiple times per day. For multiple meeting times, it will be necessary to have multiple monitors.

Related: Household Stains and Removal Solutions Hosting a Support Group When hosting or monitoring a Support Group there are several things to consider. If this is a newly organized group it's important to set some ground rules prior to the first meeting.

Members should use first names only Members should not share personal information within the meetings Maintain your status as the host of the meeting. Don't let a participant take over, if you are the monitor you should remain in control.

Members should be respectful of others at all times Conversations should be related to the topic at hand Add additional rules depending on the need, just be sure the participants read the rules prior to attending the meeting.

Pick a topic each week, or each meeting and keep members focused on the topic at hand. Keep the conversation going, it’s fine to sit back and observe if there is good member involvement, however make sure there is no lag time. Participants can get bored quickly, and a bored person will leave the group.

Ask for a survey of members every so often. Most are glad to offer their opinion, or suggestions for following meetings. Don't take the surveys personally, rather consider them a learning tool. Involve members, ask for

suggestions for future topics, keeping members involved and interacting will make for active meetings.

Meeting Follow-up Make notes about the meeting. What went well, what did not. Consider what sparked the most conversation, sometimes the most difficult topics to cover are the ones that should be covered. Support groups should be fairly fast paced, interesting, and cover the intended topic, so that members feel as though they have come away from the meeting as well informed, and supported. They should also know that they have come to the right place.

The group members are searching for answers, Support, and most of all, to know there are other people in similar situations. The number one reason patients give for attending a Support group is to no longer feel alone when dealing with their condition. It should be similar to a feeling of “coming home�, they can finally put their minds at ease.

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Keeping charts on group meeting group participation, and satisfaction, will help you use the charting to not only plan future meetings, but to also see what is working and what isn't. The one thing that most members agree on is that they often feel as though they are discounted by their physician.

Simply hearing others say they can relate can be exactly what the patient needs.

Style of Meeting If you are the originator of the meeting, you will need to consider the style in which the meeting will be conducted ahead of time.

Most meetings such as AA are conducted with a format that starts out on a serious note, introductions, and then a time for each member to talk. These somewhat formal meetings do not allow crosstalk.In other words, all conversation is directed at the group and not another member. No questions should not be asked of other members, but should be directed at the group.

A less formal meeting may be preferred, especially if there are few members. This type of meeting will leave the area open for discussion among members. Again, keep in mind, time to speak should be shared and not dominated by one person. As the room monitor it is acceptable to advise members that it's time for another person to speak if deemed necessary. \

Being polite, yet letting members know your presence is a good rule to remember. You are conducting the meeting because of your expertise, and you should put that to good use and remain in charge.

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