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Comparing the needs of health professional and peer cancer support group facilitators in an Australian context

journal contribution
posted on 2011-01-01, 00:00 authored by L M Hoey, G Sutherland, P A Williams, Vicki WhiteVicki White
This study explored the perceived needs of health professional and peer facilitators of cancer support groups. Participants were facilitators of support groups affiliated with The Cancer Council Victoria (Australia). Facilitators completed questionnaires assessing their experience of support group facilitation, including training and support needs. Data from health professional and peer facilitators (n= 74) were analysed in this paper. The majority of facilitators (88%) were female; 57% had run their group for more than 3 years, and 47% reported between 11 and 20 people attended each group. Although results showed the characteristics of support groups are broadly similar for peers and professionals, there were some distinct differences in perceived needs. Health professional facilitators were more likely than peers to regard training as valuable and beneficial to their role. In addition, health professionals more frequently reported needing debriefing as well as more difficulty accessing debriefing than cancer peers. This study builds on the small body of literature exploring the experiences of cancer support group facilitators. Given the experiences and needs of health professional and peer facilitators may differ, it may be relevant to tailor training and support so that it meets the needs of both health professionals and cancer peers.

History

Journal

European Journal of Cancer Care

Volume

20

Issue

1

Pagination

87 - 92

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing

Location

Chichester, Eng.

ISSN

0961-5423

eISSN

1365-2354

Language

eng

Publication classification

C Journal article; C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2010, Blackwell Publishing