Abstract
Background:
Group education is intended to strengthen the ability of patients with long-term illnesses to cope in everyday life. Aim: To describe how patients and peers, next of kin and healthcare professionals experienced group education sessions. Methods: A qualitative, critical incident technique was used. Thirty patients, 9 peers, 41 next of kin and 12 healthcare professionals were asked to describe in writing their experiences of group education, inspired by the Norwegian Vifladt & Hopen model. The answers were then analyzed and categorized.
Findings:
Three hundred and eleven critical incidents were identified and two main areas emerged in the analyses: Experiences related to the group education and Impact of the group education programs. Experiences related to the group education described The course, Knowledge and support, and Becoming closer. Impact of the group education programs described Output and Advice to the healthcare organizations. Conclusion: This kind of group education is valuable because the participants benefited from listening to and learning from each other. Patients and NoK had the opportunity to find new strategies for managing daily life. The study also showed that it is important to plan and implement the education and meetings in cooperation between healthcare professionals and experienced peers.