SELF-HELP GROUPS IN GASTROENTEROLOGY

Central to the concept of self-help groups is the principle of sharing and working co-operatively. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether such a principle is active amongst gastrointestinal groups and could be used to support training and counselling programmes for lay people on a nationwide basis in the UK. Twenty British groups and 12 from other parts of the English-speaking world were surveyed. Only 17 of these, 10 of which were British, replied. Most groups were relatively small, provided no trained counselling services and were not prepared to link with similar organizations to do so. If such concepts are to gain ground, considerable effort will be needed.