Cancer self help groups and family physicians

PURPOSE: Despite the phenomenal growth during the past decade of cancer sel f-help groups for adult patients with cancer: little research has been cond ucted to document the interface bem een these groups and healthcare profess ionals, especially physicians. This study was initiated to provide informat ion about family physician practices, ap;awareness! and attitudes about sel f-help groups. DESCRIPTION:A survey questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of Ontario family physicians drawn from the College of Family Physicians of Canada's membership database. RESULTS: A total of 911 completed questionnaires were returned, for a respo nse rate of 64%. A majority (56.8%) of respondents were aware of at least o ne cancer self-help group in their region; 26.8% of these spoke frequently with their cancer patients about such groups. Most family physicians indica ted that they were positively inclined toward cancer self-help groups, givi ng especially high ratings of helpfulness to sharing common experiences, ov er-coming isolation, feeling understood, and sharing information. Ratings o f potential harm were low, with the most concern expressed about the possib le provision of misinformation and the promotion of unconventional therapie s. Responses to an open-ended question showed that many family physicians q ualify: their support for cancer self-help groups, depending on patient nee d, group composition, and leadership. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Family physicians and other members of the cancer ca re team should give increased attention to informing cancer patients about the potential benefits of self-help groups. Efforts need to be made to assi st cancer self-help groups in developing informational brochures and to ens ure that groups are listed in cancer resource directories. Educational init iatives about self-help groups would be useful for family physicians and ot her health professionals engaged in the care of cancer patients.