Group Art Therapy Using Telemedicine Technology for Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

This chapter outlines the therapeutic approach that was adopted to deliver the virtual group therapy. It focuses on the challenges and successes of the service, with a particular focus on the ability to maintain psychologically meaningful connections via telehealth technology in a remote environment. The immunosuppression faced by chemotherapy clients clearly limited our ability to deliver face-to-face group sessions, even without the added burden of travel. Chemotherapy patients already regularly travel significant distances to receive their treatment, and also often suffer nausea and fatigue. A systematic review had suggested positive outcomes for online group peer support, and so it seemed an ideal opportunity to trial videoconferencing. Working with technology as a partner in therapy raises particular anxieties about managing the therapy space. The experience has shown that telehealth appears to offer a valuable space to connect and support people and has unique benefits for clients living in a rural area undergoing chemotherapy treatments.