Group psychotherapy for head and neck cancer patients

The diagnosis of cancer has a profound emotional effect on the patient. We report the two-year experience of a weekly support group attended by 142 hospitalized head and neck cancer patients and 33 family members. The major goal for the group was to provide an open forum for discussion of any problems that faced the patient. Group size was usually four to eight patients and two to four therapists. Weekly data sheets documented attendance and major themes for the group. The most common theme was anticipation of and reaction to treatment. Initial difficulties with the group included ambivalence by the professional staff, low attendance, and logistical problems. Subjective impressions of the staff were that the group improved patients' morale, patient to patient support, compliance, and decreased the rate of discharge against medical advice.