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Although hospice staff support groups are frequently cited as a valuable resource in coping with hospice work stress, few guidelines exist for implementing a successful group experience. This article summarizes a pilot study of a 12-week audiotape staff support group training program for hospice and oncology workers developed collaboratively by the author and the UCLA California Self-Help Center. Two West Coast hospice groups participated in the study. Group members reported a high degree of satisfaction with the tape program and their group experience. Burnout scores were not significantly affected by the group experience. Preliminary data on coping strategies, implications for the development and strengthening social support networks in the hospice, and suggestions for future research efforts are discussed.
Dale G. Larson (Sun,) studied this question.