Research Article

"A Group of ME's"

This article pertained to individuals who had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Fatigue is the most common symptom of MS. Fatigue management is found to be very effective for MS patients. There has been much research on fatigue management, but the focus has been on the perceptions of occupational therapists, not the participants. This study wanted to look deeper into the learning process that supports change in fatigue management. A qualitative case study method was used to explore how participants learned from the group process and how the group process supported participants in managing fatigue.  The main findings were that the group process facilitated learning and that the learning was supported by relationships, comparisons, interactions, and comparisons to others.

In reflection, I found the section “Group Process as Learning” to be very interesting. “Participants talked about how being in group helped them feel less alone in their illness experience, and that it also supported learning. Knowing the other members had similar problems not only made participants feel better, it supported them in trying new strategies to manage their fatigue”. As we’ve learned through our whole groups class, sometimes we just need to know that we’re not alone, and that there are people out there going through similar situations as ourselves. They say there are strengths in numbers, and healthcare is no different. I think it’s awesome that clients began to try new strategies because of the support of their other group members. A believe a special bondage was created between these group members. The other members became their ultimate support. I have experienced this kind of bondage with my “purple” group. Going through occupational therapy school for a year certainly made us close, but I feel like ever since we’ve been connected on a deeper level through the group process, that our bondage is now at an all-time high through laughter, tears (real tears), and just deepness on an emotional level. This article and groups class makes me so thankful to be a part of occupational therapy. I look forward to viewing and participating in multiple group sessions in the very near future!

Preissner, K. L. (2013, January 1). "A Group of Me's": Adult Learning through Group Process: The Experiences of Participants in a Teleconference Delivered Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue Management Program. ProQuest LLC,