title: Rehabilitation after mastectomy: the group process.
abstract: Mastectomy is a frequently performed, emotionally stressful surgical procedure. Based on theories of loss and grief and crisis intervention, an in-hospital group program has been established to facilitate rehabilitation of patient and family. This paper discusses the alleviation of grief reactions and the fostering of growth-producing behavior through early postoperative participation in such groups. The function of the social worker as a member of an interdisciplinary team is examined, with particular focus on skills involved in promoting and enhancing the group process.
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006126:Group Processes; D006758:Hospital Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D009519:New York City; D012046:Rehabilitation; D012947:Social Work; D013997:Time Factors