Hepatitis C psychoeducation curriculum topics generated by group members

ABSTRACT

Educational programs for hepatitis C (HCV) have been created by professionals. There has not been a focus on whether what clients want to know about HCV differs from what providers want patients to know. This study addresses this gap by examining topics selected by participants in an education/support group model. Data were collected as part of a randomized psychoeducation trial for patients with HCV. Topics were systematically generated by the members uniquely for each group. Topics and rank order for each group were generated and a combined variable was created. Twenty-eight different topics were identified across 12 groups. The total number of topics was 102, averaging 8.5 per group. Topics are divided into three separate conceptual groups, members’ personal relationship to HCV, medical aspects of HCV, and unique concerns. A patient-centered approach that addresses the needs of HCV patients first provides an optimal starting point to discuss HCV disease management.

KEYWORDS:

• HCV
• psychoeducation
• multifamily groups
• curriculum
• family

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of the Dallas VA Medical Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and Washington University School of Medicine in support of this research. The research presented in this article is that of the authors and does not reflect the official policy of the NIH.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research is supported National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [R01 NIH AA15201] by Dr. North.