Research on practice with groups in health care settings.
The theoretical underpinnings for group practice in health settings include theories pertaining to the individual, the small group, and systems. These theories remain largely untested due to attitudes of both the clinician and researcher, methodological problems related to the complexities of individual and group variables, the lack of a consistent common language, and limited availability of practical and sound empirical measures. Most of the literature is anecdotal. There are some descriptive and outcome studies but little research addresses the relationship of process to outcome. Suggestions are offered to begin bridging this gap.
Rutchick
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Social Service Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
D005544:Forecasting; D006126:Group Processes; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013598:Systems Theory