Group rehabilitation for cancer patients: satisfaction and perceived benefits

Satisfaction with a group rehabilitation programme (GR) was evaluated in a heterogeneous group of cancer patients. Of the patients that were invited, 67% (N=132) participated in the GR. The GR included eight sessions plus one booster-session, each including information and/or cognitive-behavioural t echniques combined with physical training and relaxation and started approx imately 4 months after diagnosis. Men and women participated to the same ex tent. A mailed questionnaire was used to assess patients' satisfaction, per ceived benefits and level of difficulty of the GR components. The majority of patients stated that the number of sessions and timing of the GR was ade quate. The usefulness of the GR components were rated in the following desc ending order: relaxation, physical training, encountering others in the sam e situation, breathing exercises, information and cognitive-behavioural ski lls. Patients were more satisfied with diagnosis-specific group meetings th an with those including several diagnoses. Assessment of patient satisfacti on seems appropriate to elucidate patient priorities. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.