Effective leadership of groups for patients with chronic disease

Most programs for patients with a chronic disease include educational sessions about a variety of topics related to lifestyle change. However, achieving that change depends on harnessing the potential our patients have to help each other deal with the impact of chronic disease on their lives and to examine the obstacles to behaviour change. Improved facilitation of group discussion enables this potential to be developed. In a well functioning group, patients will encourage and challenge each other and will be actively involved in addressing their lifestyle issues.

Group leadership requires a complex set of skills.Training in this area takes considerable time and effort. This workshop serves as an introduction to these important skills.

Topics to be covered include:

• Essential points for facilitating discussion
• Coping with difficult group members
• Dealing with patients’ fears and anxieties
• Recognising depression in patients

 To read what previous participants have thought click here