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Group psychotherapy for head and neck cancer patients
Author(s) -
Harris Lenore L.,
Vogtsberger Kenneth N.,
Mattox Douglas E.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198505000-00012
Subject(s) - attendance , ambivalence , support group , anticipation (artificial intelligence) , group psychotherapy , head and neck cancer , medicine , head and neck , theme (computing) , psychology , cancer , family medicine , psychotherapist , psychiatry , surgery , social psychology , artificial intelligence , computer science , economics , economic growth , operating system
The diagnosis of cancer has n profound emotional effect on the patient. We report the two‐year experience of a weekly support group attended by 142 hospitalized head and neck cancer patients and 33 family members. The major goal for the group was to provide an open forum for discussion of any problems that faced the patient. Group size was usually four to eight patients and two to four therapists. Weekly data sheets documented attendance and major themes for the group. The most common theme was anticipation of and reaction to treatment. Initial difficulties with the group included ambivalence by the professional staff, Iow attendance, and logistical problems. Subjective impressions of the staff were that the group improved patients morale, patient to patient support, compliance, and decreased the rate of discharge against medical advice.