Content Status
Type
Linked Node
Treatment Support Groups
Learning Objectiveswhat are treatment supporter groups- concept, and experiences from Kerala
Treatment Support Groups play an important role in providing treatment support to TB patients. It has been envisioned as a non-statutory body of socially responsible citizens and volunteers to provide social support to TB patients. This group goes beyond just providing treatment-related support as it also helps the community in accessing information, free and quality services and linkage to social welfare programmes without compromising confidentiality and respecting the dignity of the patient.
A good treatment support group creates a conducive environment for TB patients to access complete care without experiencing stigma and incurring out-of-pocket expenditures.
Figure: Schematic representation of the concept of treatment support groups.
Treatment Support Group (TSG): Example from Kerala
The initiative in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala demonstrated that treatment support groups helped in minimising the loss-to-follow-up cases and better treatment outcomes. The group supported the patients in accessing information, free and quality services and social welfare programmes, thereby empowering the patients to complete the treatment successfully.
Resources
National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Elimination 2017–2025, RNTCP, 2017.
Assessment
| Question | Answer 1 | Answer 2 | Answer 3 | Answer 4 | Correct answer | Correct explanation |
| What is a treatment support group? | A group of treatment supporters in the community | A group of TB patients in the community | A non-statutory body of citizens and volunteers to provide social support to TB patients | All of the above | 3 | A treatment support group is a non-statutory body of citizens and volunteers to provide social support to TB patients. |
Content Creator
Reviewer
Target Audience
- Log in to post comments