title: [Cooperation of physicians and self-help groups. Scientific findings].
abstract: Chronic diseases and handicaps are widespread among the population. Considering the psycho-social components of many diseases, medical therapy alone is often not sufficient. Self-help groups meet emotional or other non-medical needs and support the coping process of their members. A widespread assumption is that cooperation between physicians and self-help groups promotes the quality of medical care and quality of life of the afflicted. Evidently, physicians and self-help groups can complement each other. This article presents scientific findings about mutual contacts and cooperation of office-based physicians, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, on the one hand, and self-help groups, on the other. A variety of modes of cooperation are described as well as mutual perceptions, expectations, the perceived quality of cooperation and cooperation-limiting factors.
authors.affiliation: Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), BRD. wolfgang.slesina@medizin.uni-halle.de
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Slesina
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fink
mesh_terms: D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D010820:Physicians / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012648:Self Care / Q000639:trends*; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*