Workshop Summary:
With an estimated 20% of the global population suffering from chronic pain, one of the primary challenges for providers is finding ways to expand our reach (without also expanding our work hours and burnout risk) in a manner that allows more individuals to have access to much- needed care. Our presentation will focus on an effective and rewarding way to meet this challenge: offering groups, such as group medical visits, therapy groups, and coaching groups.
Working with clients in a group setting can provide unique benefits, such as lessening clients’ sense of isolation, improving health outcomes, enhancing the effectiveness of individual sessions, and providing the opportunity for clients to learn new skills and strategies in a safe and supportive environment. We’ll discuss clinical, logistical, and administrative elements, potential challenges that can arise in a group setting, and what we’ve learned from our experience working with patients and clients utilizing this format.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Understand the value proposition of various types of groups (i.e., group medical visit, therapy group, and coaching group), both from a client perspective and a provider perspective
- Understand the basic elements of groups, including clinical, administrative, and logistical components, depending on the setting and type of group being offered
- Understand the common issues and unique challenges in groups treating chronic pain, and how to manage difficult dynamics
- Utilize strategies for communicating about a neuroplastic pain and symptom recovery framework with colleagues and patients/clients in mainstream healthcare
