An Alternative Group Approach

Abstract

This article describes an innovative, open-ended support group with educational and recreational goals designed especially to meet the needs of patients and their families participating in prostate cancer research protocols at the National Institutes of Health. Weekly meetings alternated between didactic presentations and recreational outings. The group was developed and led by a social worker and a therapeutic recreation specialist. Guest speakers from many other disciplines contributed to the depth of programming offered. Evaluation of this approach after four months showed that the program was beneficial for these patients, who would not participate in a more traditional support group. This type of group should be considered in other cancer centers or communities that wish to meet more specialized needs of cancer patients, especially those with prostate cancer.