Research opportunity for group leaders
National MS Society self-help group leaders are invited to participate in an exciting research opportunity. Leslie Krongold, a doctoral student at the University of San Francisco, is conducting a survey of support group facilitators as part of her dissertation.
The purpose of her research study is to describe support group facilitators’ role perceptions, goals, and strategies used to achieve social support goals and self-management behaviors in the group setting. The study will look at both professional and volunteer-lead groups. Ms. Krongold contacted the Society and asked that we partner with her on her outreach and recruitment efforts. The survey instrument, study protocol and related materials have been reviewed and approved by society staff.
Currently there is very little research about self-help groups for people with chronic health conditions and even less about self-help group facilitators. By participating in this voluntary research study, group leaders have the opportunity to contribute to a neglected, but very important area of research. Interested leaders can participate in two ways – either through an online survey or by completing the hard copy version. Data collected from both versions of the survey instrument will be anonymous – name, address and phone number of the responders will not be connected with their responses.
The National MS Society’s Programs and Services team is coordinating the outreach and recruitment efforts.
If you are interested in participating in this research, please contact Jeff Fisher at the Chapter by February 1, 2010. You may reach Jeff at 612-335-7951, 800-582-5296 or jfisher@mssociety.org.