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Pregnancy is a time of natural stress that can have a marked effect on the relationship of the expectant parents and, subsequently, on the child. A group was formed to provide emotional support for the women and to involve the husbands in the process. By offering this service in a family practice residency program, it not only has a beneficial effect on the outcome of the pregnancy but also gives family practice residents a valuable learning experience.

This paper is the second in a four-part series and describes some of the prerequisites necessary for the establishment of a therapy group in family medicine. In setting up a group, it is necessary to have group leadsers, a supervisor, patients, a suitable room, and time set aside for the purpose. Referral sources and criteria for referral are presented, as well as a description of patient characteristics. Factors leading to referral are discussed, and contraindications for referral considered.

Group psychotherapy may often be the treatment of choice for patients whose somatic symptoms are a reflection of interpersonal difficulties which are not of sufficient magnitude to warrant referral to a mental health professional. This type of treatment can be offered in the context of family practice, with benefit to both patient and physician. The physician may function as co-therapist with a more experienced group leader; it is essential, also, that competent supervision be available. Such a group was established in a family practice center; it met for 20 weekly sessions. Patient improvement ranged from minimal to considerable; in addition, the frequency of visits to the Center for essentially non-medical reasons decreased considerably, with the greatest decrease in such visits occurring 6 to 15 months after termination of group treatment. This is the first part in a four-part series dealing with group therapy in family medicine.

This paper is the third in a four-part series and in it some issues and techniques pertaining to the pregroup screening interview are discussed as well as the initial meeting of a therapy group in a family practice setting. The screening interview enables patient and group therapists to decide whether or not the patient might benefit from group therapy. Topics covered in such an interview are discussed. Some ways of beginning and of ending the first session are described.