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A survey of cancer support groups provided by national cancer institute (NCI) clinical and comprehensive centers
Author(s) -
Presberg Burton A.,
Levenson James L.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.2960020308
Subject(s) - cancer , family medicine , quarter (canadian coin) , social support , support group , medicine , focus group , breast cancer , age groups , gerontology , psychology , demography , psychiatry , social psychology , geography , archaeology , marketing , sociology , business
The 42 National Cancer Institute Clinical and Comprehensive Cancer Centers were surveyed about their group support programs. All responding centers (81%) offered group support programs, an average of 3.5 groups per center. There were an average of 6.0 members per group. About an equal number of groups were composed of patients or family members only; more groups included both patients and family members. About one‐third of the groups were limited by site, most commonly breast cancer. One‐quarter limited membership by treatment, and a few groups limited membership by stage of disease. Most of the groups were open‐ended in structure. Nearly all groups met with a frequency between weekly and monthly. Support and education were the primary focus of groups, rather than cognitive‐behavioral or psychotherapy. Social workers and nurses led the majority of groups. Almost all of the groups were provided without payment. Implications of the survey's findings for research and clinical applications of support groups for cancer patients are discussed.