What is a group and how do care-related groups differ from each other? What are

the benefits and drawbacks for service users of joining a group? Illustrate with

case material from K101.

A group within a healtcare setting can be described as a meeting of people who have experienced or are experiencing life altering situations. There are 4 characteristics they are small, have a set of rules, members lean on and rely upon each other and there is a shared goal. They came to prominence in healthcare in the 1970's and 80's when it was felt that grp work wld lead to the individual would gain insight, learn and aquire new skills through the medium of group work. This is supported by people like LINDA FINLAY an O.T who has studied grps. She noted that grps are more than a collection of individuals and that social development is shapped by an individuals experience of groups. This view of group wrk being a valuable tool in healthcare is also supported by M. DOWEL a sociology professor who studied groupwork and believed that group wrk would prevent the individual looking inwards and focusing entirely on what is wrong.

There was a move away from group work towards individualised care in the 1990's with the introduction of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990, when it was felt by the service user that their individual needs were being ignored and marginilised. Despite this it is still felt that group work can be of benefit to the service user when used in conjunction with individualised person centred care. A view supported by REASEARCHER G. WISTOW who believed that in order for care to be holiastic it should be both interdependant and individualised independance can only be achievedif interdependance is recognised and supported.

As there are many different kinds of people with varying needs it stands to reason that there are different kinds of groups to suit their needs. For example there are professional led groups such as those led by ANNA CLARKE a health visitor who helps to set up and give direction to groups such as those for teenage mothers. It is within her job description to help establish and give direction to these groups as well as give advice on health related issues.

There are also self help groups such as that attended by MICK and OWEN called Birchgrove group. These groups are generally led from within by one of the members but can also have professional involvement in the way of speakers etc. Such groups can often take on futher roles of education and campaigning.

There has also in recent years been the emergence of online groups and these are becoming more and more popular. M. WHITE and S. DORMAN have conducted studies about the advantages of online groups and one of the primary reasons is the ability to remain anonoymus and gather a large amount of information and opinions although this can also been seen as a disadvantage as it can be difficult to verify facts and the vast amounts of opinion are out there. Although they do allow people to gain a sense of community without feeling compelled to participate.

As with everything group work has its advantages and disadvantages. The ADVANTAGES include: Possible to learn from others experiences which can lead the individual to a greater understanding of themselves and enhance their personal development. They enable people to speak out and indentify both the personal and collective needs. The presence of a skilled leader can lead grps to be a theraputic process (grp therapy). They can allow people to gain support and experience from others who have had the same life experiences as them but perhaps dealt with them in a different way. Grps can be enabling for all who attend what ever the reason, be it chronic health sufferers or those affected by disease such as the boys in the V. PATEL STUDY. Grps can be educational, education doesn't have to be from a professional (rise of the expert pt). They can reduce feelings of isolation which is beneficial to psychosocial health

The disadvantages are that group wrk does not suit everyone and although the Seeta Patel study focused on self help groups the factors identified can be attributed to groups in general. As with self help groups which are viewed to be middle calss and introspective there can be a stigma attached to group therapy as attending one puts you amongst a group of people who are stigmitsed by a disease such as HIV. For many joining a grp means admitting they have a problem and the speed at which someone does this is a personal thing, encouraging them to join when not ready could have adverse effects on the psych health. As Seetal Patel identifies many peopel may feel uneasy discussing private matters in public and may be concerned about the information remaining confidential. They may also worry about who will find out they attend the group and in turn will know what they may consider to be private

GOOD FOR YOU BEING ABLE TO USE YOUR EXPERIENCES FOR OTHERS, RAISES SELF ESTEEM, CAN TAKE PRESSURE OFF CARER IF HAVE S'ONE ELSE TO TALK TOO, ONLINE GRPS PROVIDE 24 HR HELP AND ADVICE AND UP TO DATE INFO, GREAT WAY TO REDUCE ISOLATION FOR PEOPEL NEW TO AREA.

DIFFICULT TO ACCESS ONLINE GRPS IF DON'T OWN A COMPUTER, DIFFICULTIES UNDERSTANDING TECHNICAL TERMS, MAYBE NOT USER FRIENDLY FOR BLIND, IF POOR MOBILITY MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY ATTENDING GRPS

	Created by Jen Collins over 11 years ago

EXAM QUESTIONS Note on Question and ans on grp wrk, created by Jen Collins on 29/05/2013.