A Study on the Effects of Support Groups for Patients with Liver Cancer and their Family Members

• Main Authors: Yi-Shih CHEN, 陳宜適
• Other Authors: Chen-Cheng CHANG, Associate Professor
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/58229611574006725255

碩士 === 輔仁大學 === 社會工作學系碩士班 === 102 === In Taiwan, liver cancer is a frequently occuring cancer which is highly uncertain and recurring. Medicine has progressed so that the cancer is now gradual and chronic, but patients still feel the threat of death, and the pressure felt by family members is no less than the patients. So the family not only needs medicine, but also needs a social support group. Case study is the main research method employed in this study, and includes participatory observation and semi-structured in-depth interviews after the group is dissolved. The group’s members included eight patients that have had liver cancer or a recurrence within one year and six of their family members. The major finding are: 1. Group dynamics: The leader’s professionalism and ability to provide resources, sharing among members, the survivor’s positive thinking and groups cohesion all contribute to the group dynamics and social support. 2. Social support: Participating support groups supported patients by providing them with more correct medical and nutritional information, emotional support, a sense of belonging, and by communciating experiential knowledge, and teaching them coping methods. Based on these findings, the research suggests: the extension of support groups and the continuation of care, enhancement of the function of the Cancer Prevention Center, encouraging medical social work training courses to teach the ability to lead cancer support groups, and integrating the medical care provision of the national cancer care network.