Social Work Practice with Groups in Health Care

A survey of 244 publications attcsts to the burgeoning interest in Groups of patients and families as an important modality of practice In health settings. Therapy groups predominate, followed in frequency by groups for purposes of support, education, crisis, resolution, socialization, training, and mediation. A biopsychosocia1 theoretical orientation provides the foundation knowledge used by a large majority of authors. The rationale for using groups is clearly related to the problems faced by clients, combined with understanding how to mobilize the therapeutic forces that operate in groups. Important limitations in the content of the literature are identified, including a need for research on process and outcome.