Evaluation of a Therapeutic Group by Telephone for Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Major gaps in knowledge exist about the value of a therapeutic group conducted by telephone conference call for patients with breast cancer. This article describes the evaluation of such a group. Three goals established for the evaluation were to determine whether (1) therapeutic factors were operational within the group, (2) differences in group climate were reported, and (3) therapeutic factors could be identified from group transcripts. Results from the Support Group Evaluation, official the Group Climate Questionnaire Short Form, and a content analysis supported the occurrence of therapeutic factors within the telephone group sessions. Therapeutic processes described in the telephone group were similar to processes found in traditional forms of groups. Telephone groups are valuable sources of support for patients despite a lack of face-to-face interaction. Researchers would benefit by replicating these methods as a means of establishing the integrity of interventions for groups, and clinicians would gain insight into improving clinical leadership skills for telephone support groups.

Key Words:

• Evaluation
• group intervention
• breast cancer
• psychosocial support
• telephone