Sometimes, though, they need to understand it can take time before the benefits of membership are felt and that they may need to attend a number of meetings. Encourage patients to feed back to you early on what they feel, and keep in touch so you know what is happening. There s nothing to stop someone going back to a group to try again most groups operate on an open or revolving door basis. The patient might become critical of conventional care . Most groups aim to work alongside professional services.
Most members receive and appreciate conventional care as well as going to the group.
If there is criticism, it may be helpful to see this as part of a creative dialogue between the professional and lay worlds. The group will promote a cause or recommend a particular treatment. Virtually all groups see their role as providing information. They aim to help individuals understand more about their condition and how they might cope with it. Members choose whether to pursue a particular issue just as they might after reading a magazine or watching a television programme.