Group Coaching for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

The physical, emotional, and mental changes associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) can disrupt patients' lives on many levels and interfere with their pursuit of life goals. Health-care practitioners usually work with people with MS in traditional medical settings-for example, upon initial diagnosis of MS or after an exacerbation of symptoms. Because of the nature of such settings and the current state of health care, it is challenging to provide the ongoing support and guidance that patients need to work toward life goals that were in place before the onset of their illness. Coaching is a talk-based process that uses tools and techniques designed to help individuals make progress toward their life goals. Coaching in a group format is an emerging method for guiding people with similar situations or needs toward their goals. The pilot group coaching project described here provides initial evidence that group coaching may be a valuable service-delivery model for expanding possibilities for individuals with MS living in the community. Int J MS Care. 2010;12:59-64.T he search for a more balanced, satisfying, or low-stress life is a common theme in the world today. Yet many people find achieving this goal to be unimaginable and daunting, requiring many difficult steps and life changes. Significant obstacles are presented by the demands of modern-day society, including busy schedules, time constraints, multiple roles, and economic uncertainties. Like many people with chronic illnesses, individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) face even more difficult circumstances because of the uncertainty of their prognoses and the unpredictability and variability of symptoms, including exacerbations and remissions. They experience "continuous life balance challenges to managing MS" such as time management, maintaining everyday occupations and roles, dealing with fatigue, and managing overall health. 1 Decreased quality of life and feelings of depression among individuals with MS are prevalent. 2-4 Reports of depressive symptoms such as "crying more" and having "pessimistic feelings about the future" confirm that elevated emotional distress is common. 5 This is further testimony to the extraordinary impact that MS can have on lifestyle, including maintaining, achieving, or just taking steps toward a balanced, satisfying, or lower-stress life.Given these quality of life issues described by people with MS, it is surprising that typical interventions consist primarily of symptom management in a medical model. Although symptom management is certainly necessary, there seems to be a gap in addressing lifestyle needs of those with MS, including their life goals. This article describes a pilot group coaching program that was used to bridge this gap. It details the coaching method used, along with program evaluation, participant responses, and recommendations. CoachingThe theoretical underpinnings of coaching draw from human development, psychology, and education. 6 The general approach of this emerging discipline involves an emphasis on we...