Self-Help-Friendly Hospitals: Integrating Self-Help Groups as a Complementary Service in Healthcare.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Support Systems
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Evaluation of a project (2021-2024) to integrate self-help friendliness into the Swiss healthcare system.
• Fostering collaboration between hospitals, self-help centers, and self-help groups (SHGs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and benefits of implementing self-help friendliness in hospitals.
• To understand the impact on collaboration between healthcare providers and SHGs.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods design including document analysis, online surveys (T0: n=530, T1: n=281) of hospital staff across 56 projects.
• In-depth case studies at four cooperation sites to evaluate collaborative efforts.

Main Results:

• Implemented measures achieved project objectives, enhancing self-help friendliness.
• Hospital staff increasingly viewed SHGs as complementary to professional care.
• Increased provision of information to patients and more visibility for SHGs within hospitals.

Conclusions:

• Implementing self-help friendliness in hospitals is feasible and beneficial.
• Sustainable collaboration necessitates clear roles, organizational support, and recognition of SHG expertise.
• The study offers practical insights into integrating patient support initiatives.