Coronary heart disease (CHD) support groups : their role and value from the perspective of members and facilitators

CHD Support Groups offer long term help to replace or complement help given by health practitioners, families or friends, by providing a location in which lifestyle change can be developed and experiences shared. This study used a number of different research methods to capture how well and effectively these groups operate and how they are viewed by the members and the people who facilitate the groups. The study was undertaken with members and facilitators from seven CHD Support Groups across Scotland. The groups were exercise-based or socially-based, and were selected to reflect location and size. Focus groups with members, observation of group meetings, and interviews with group members and ‘facilitators’ were conducted (sometimes including carers or family members) and analysis of documentary material was carried out.