Healthcare initiatives, though aimed at the creation of healthier communities, often do not address, indeed avoid addressing, one of the most basic aspects of life—that is, dying and death. The care of patients with life-threatening conditions has been inadequate in this country assert the developers of this project, and previous studies have shown that communication between physicians and patients is virtually absent or, if it does occur, chaotic and superficial. Patients are kept on life-sustaining devices well past the time when meaningful life can be sustained and they would have readily chosen to die. Death has come to signify for many patients only unrelenting and unmitigated pain.
The aim of this project was to design and implement a group program for patients, their primary caregivers, and health professionals that focuses on three primary areas: spirit, emotions, and relationships. Necessary modifications were made in this effort to meet the special needs and experiences of patient subgroups, including those related to race, disease category, and healthcare delivery site. Special attention was paid to the unique needs of African American patients and their caregivers. The authors believe that their Supportive-Affective Group Program, when properly adapted, will prove useful for patients with life-threatening medical conditions over a wide range of clinical problems and with varying prognoses, religious preferences, and cognitive capacities.
This project was developed and implemented by
Douglas K. Miller, MD
Paul N. Duckro, PhD
Susan D. Videen, MDiv, PhD
John T. Chibnall, PhD
Saint Louis University School of Medicine Departments of Internal Medicine, Community & Family Medicine, Pastoral Care, and Psychiatry
St. Louis, MO 2001
Funding was provided by: Supportive Care Coalition: Pursuing Excellence in Palliative Care (then known as Supportive Care of the Dying: A Coalition for Compassionate Care) and Project on Death in America
For the full report, including detailed information about the group curricula, see The St Louis University Life Threatening Illness Supportive-Affective Group Experience (pdf). If you do not have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, please click here and download the software now.
The full report and video program are available for $12, plus $3.20 shipping. Contact Supportive Care Coaltion.