[Self-help group in health: solidarity partnership and request]

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Health Sciences
• Psychiatry

Context:

• The rise of mutual self-help groups is linked to post-WWII psychiatric care reforms.
• The growth of social psychiatry and patient rights movements influenced their diffusion.
• These groups emerged in developed countries, reflecting broader social changes.

Purpose:

• To analyze the increasing popularity and characteristics of mutual self-help groups in health.
• To understand the factors contributing to the spread of these groups.
• To explore the evolving dynamics between patients, professionals, and authorities.

Summary:

• Mutual self-help groups are characterized by non-hierarchical structures, free participation, and a focus on shared experiences and experimental knowledge.
• Membership can include patients, healthcare professionals, and family members.
• These groups are reshaping the relationship between patients, medical institutions, and political bodies.

Impact:

• Mutual self-help groups are fostering a paradigm shift in healthcare dynamics.
• They empower patients by valuing experiential knowledge alongside professional expertise.
• These groups contribute to a more collaborative and less hierarchical approach in health and social care systems.