Patient support groups are important for
patients with many diseases and conditions.
Hepatitis C support groups have
been shown to help patients deal with their
diagnoses and manage care and
treatment more effectively than they would on
their own. Support groups are
important elements of medical care and they improve quality of life for most
participants.
Support groups are more important than ever for Hepatitis C patients considering treatment, or on
treatment.
As new drugs become available and are the standard of care, many patients now have
trouble managing and tolerating the medications.
Due to the recent influx of patients and time constraints faced by the medical
establishment, medical providers are now viewing this as an
essential part before, during, and after treatment. Well-facilitated support
groups will help manage increased patient demand and
the challenge of treatment providing an important peer support component of
care.
The new meds have also made treatment
more complicated and added to the side effects some people
experience.
Support groups provide an important place for patients to talk with their peers
about questions to ask and the pros and cons of treatment, while
they are consulting with their doctors about whether and when to treat. Once
patients start treatment, support groups provide an opportunity to discuss any
difficulties or side effects they are experiencing, and share tips to manage
or reduce side effects and other problems.
Having a safe place to talk about Hepatitis C and treatment with peers provides fellowship and
encouragement.
Support groups make it clear to individuals that they are not
facing Hepatitis C and treatment alone. They are more important now than
ever. Many patients have stated that they would have never gotten through
treatment had they not had these support groups to attend!
If you want to find a Hepatitis C or Hepatitis C/HIV/AIDS/HBV co-infection,
Pre & Post Liver Transplant support group in New York, go to the Hepatitis
C Support Group list under the Resources section of the website or if you
are an organization , hospital, or clinic looking to start one please contact
us @www.hepatitisCmsg.org