Self-help groups.
OBJECTIVE
To assess Ontario family physicians' attitudes toward, awareness of, and practices related to self-help groups in general and cancer self-help groups specifically.


METHODS
Mailed survey using a modified Dillman method.


METHODS
Ontario family practices.


METHODS
A random sample of 1500 Ontario members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, of whom 949 responded. A total of 911 completed questionnaires were received, for an eligible response rate of 64%.


METHODS
Physician demographics, practice characteristics; extent of awareness of self-help groups and their perceived value; attitudes toward self-help groups; practices related to interactions with patients about self-help groups.


RESULTS
Only 40.2% of respondents were aware of six or more self-help groups in their region; 56.8% were aware of at least one cancer self-help group. Discussions with patients about groups were reported as occurring "frequently" by 12% of respondents, who indicated they made referrals to an array of groups. Ratings of group helpfulness were relatively high (83.8% scoring 3, 4, or 5 on a 5-point scale, where 5 is "very helpful"). There were low ratings of potential harm (1% scoring 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale, where 5 is "very harmful"). Confidence intervals for proportions reported on in this paper were all within 4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Family physicians have predominantly positive attitudes about the potential benefits of self-help groups, and many are recommending groups to their patients.
Gray
R E
RE
Toronto-Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre (T-SRCC). Ross_Gray@cancercare.on.ca
Orr
V
V
Carroll
J C
JC
Chart
P
P
Fitch
M
M
Greenberg
M
M
D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D009864:Ontario; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires