Quando un gruppo di pazienti adolescenti diventa luogo comune in oncoematologia pediatrica

Abstract

The group tool in mental health has a long tradition developed during the Second World War with the groups of traumatized soldiers created in England. In Pediatric Oncohematology the group does not have a very long history behind it; some experiences of support for younger patients, but above all for adolescents are reported. In 2020 a group with adolescent patients was founded at the Pediatric Oncohematology Service of the “Vito Fazzi” Hospital in Lecce, born as an experiential group and grown over time in numbers and in the perspective not only of elaborating the common experience but also of working together on supportive projects for children and above all for adolescents at diagnosis. After more than two years of weekly work, the group has changed and is now working on a new balance which, without renouncing the pleasure of helping children and peers, does not forget its mandate to process the experience.