Responses to support group

Responses to support group

Coastal Prosthetics & Orthotics, LLC

5/6/2004

Hi everyone,
Thank you for your responses and advice on support group formation. For
those of you interested I’ll summarize the responses…
- Make sure you are undertaking this project for the good of
the patients, not the marketing of your individual practice.
- Include all the practitioners in your area and ask for their
input. (This was stressed in all responses)
- Advertise to local newspapers, therapists, MD, prior to first
meeting, maybe kick off with an amputee golf tournament, or other event.
- The ACA is a wonderful resource and more than willing to
provide guidance. (they’re sending a packet of info to me to getting
started)
- Monthly meetings in a “neutral” easily accessible location
(local hospitals were the primary suggestion).
- Early evening times, ~6pm, so people who work can attend.
Meeting length 1 ½ to 2 hours.
- Consistent date, time, and location.
- Allow time in every meeting for socializing, introductions,
and questions.
- Schedule speakers ~3 to 4 times a year based on topics
requested by the group (phantom pain was a recurrent suggestion)
- Holiday party (pot luck) or BBQ for the group as a meeting.
- Mixed reviews on provision of refreshments (beverages, snacks
vs. nothing at all).
 
As for funding, if you get involved with collecting donations to pay for
location, food, or T-shirts, then you may have to create a not for
profit organization. I think the ACA has more information to address
funding considerations and developing a not for profit if needed. Also
many replies indicated that after the first few meetings these groups
were entirely run by the participants. Group sizes ranged from 3
participants to over 20. I also thought it was interesting how many
groups have taken “support” out of the title because they felt it had a
negative connotation. Thanks again for everyone’s help; I’m excited to
get going.
 
Toni Calcagno :-)
Business Manager
Coastal Prosthetics & Orthotics, LLC