Related Experiment Videos
Combining group psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy: a survey
W N Stone1, P Rodenhauser, R J Markert
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH.
International Journal of Group Psychotherapy
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Most group psychotherapists include patients on psychotropic medication. Clinicians generally view medication positively, not as a detriment to group psychotherapy, especially when only one medicated patient is present.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Social Work
Background:
- Group psychotherapy is a common treatment modality.
- The integration of patients receiving psychotropic medication into group therapy is a relevant clinical consideration.
- Practitioner attitudes and practices regarding this integration are not widely documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey group psychotherapists regarding their practices and attitudes toward including patients on psychotropic medication in outpatient psychotherapy groups.
- To identify any differences in practice or attitude based on professional discipline.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to members of the American Group Psychotherapy Association.
- 143 questionnaires were returned, yielding a 55.4% response rate.
- Data collected included professional discipline, patient population treated, and attitudes toward medicated patients in groups.
Main Results:
- Over two-thirds of physicians, social workers, and psychologists reported including medicated patients in their groups.
- Mood-disordered patients were most commonly medicated, while schizophrenic and manic patients were least frequently medicated.
- Clinicians generally held favorable attitudes toward including medicated patients, viewing medication as non-detrimental to group treatment.
Conclusions:
- The majority of group psychotherapists integrate patients on psychotropic medication into their outpatient groups.
- Clinician attitudes generally support the inclusion of medicated patients, perceiving no significant detriment to the therapeutic process.
- While professional disciplines largely agreed, social workers and psychologists showed less endorsement for psychiatrists exclusively leading groups with medicated patients.