title: An effectiveness study of group psychoeducation for hepatitis C patients in community clinics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A successful psychoeducation program for serious mental illness, PsychoEducation Responsive to Families (PERF), was modified for hepatitis C virus (HCV). An effectiveness study was carried out comparing HCV-PERF with didactic education.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 309 adult HCV patients was recruited from three outpatient settings and randomized (60% HCV-PERF, 40% didactic control). Groups met for 90 min bimonthly for 6 months following separate structured protocols. HCV-PERF sessions included a didactic curriculum developed uniquely for groups by member choice, with group problem-solving and support interactions. Patients were assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and 1 year later. Demographic and HCV-related variables and structured diagnostic interview data were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups improved significantly on major depression and alcohol and drug use, quality of life, risk behaviors, and treatment satisfaction, and worsened on disability and perceived HCV-related problems. Intervention groups did not differ on outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even though the active intervention did not achieve a significant improvement relative to the control condition, the observable improvements in both conditions warrant further exploration of the contributions of education and support as potentially important elements of HCV behavioral intervention. Further study is needed to identify elements common to education interventions that may be contributory to the improved outcomes over time.
authors.affiliation: aThe Altshuler Center for Education & Research, Metrocare Services Departments of bPsychiatry cInternal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases dInternal Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, VA North Texas Health Care System, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas eDepartment of Social Work, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, College of Arts and Sciences, Birmingham, Alabama Departments of fInternal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology gPsychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Carol S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: North
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Pollio
authors.forename: Omar T
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Sims
authors.forename: Mamta K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Geri R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Dana L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Downs
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lisker-Melman
authors.forename: Barry A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003151:Community Health Centers; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013781:Texas; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult