In rural areas, where it may be difficult to meet regularly, strong telephone links exist between group members. They may also be able to advise on transport to get to meetings. Self Help Support Workers may also be able to help. It would be useful for them to hold information about local groups and services. Groups would prefer to know about such problems than to allow them to fester and remain unresolved.
Groups complement professional care.
They are run by their members not by professionals. You may have doubts about self help groups, but there are ways to tackle problems that arise. You can make the link between a patient and a group. You can build in ways of promoting better relations between self help groups and your practice. Use voluntary agencies to help you.