Pancreatitis Partners: a sharing and educational support group.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Patient Support
• Health Education

Background:

• Pancreatitis can lead to chronic pain, frequent hospitalizations, and depression.
• No dedicated patient and family support groups for pancreatitis were previously identified in the United States.
• A tertiary care center recognized the need for enhanced patient and family support for this condition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of an interactive, educational support group for patients with pancreatitis and their families.
• To establish the first such group in the United States, utilizing a partnership model for patient empowerment.
• To evaluate the initial impact and refine the group's format and outreach strategies.

Main Methods:

• Creation of an outpatient support and education group facilitated by a multidisciplinary team.
• Implementation of a partnership model to empower patients and families in managing chronic pancreatitis.
• Survey of group members after the first ten sessions to gather feedback and assess outcomes.

Main Results:

• The support group was enthusiastically received by participants.
• Survey results provided insights into the group's effectiveness and participant satisfaction.
• The group facilitated better understanding, adaptation, and involvement in treatment choices for pancreatitis.

Conclusions:

• The established pancreatitis support group represents a novel and effective approach to patient and family care in the US.
• The partnership model empowers individuals affected by pancreatitis, improving their self-management and adaptation to chronic illness.
• Evaluation data informed modifications to the group format and plans for expanded outreach to the pancreatitis community.