Pulmonary embolism support group

Editor(s)-In-Chief: The APEX Trial Investigators, C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

In a support group, members provide each other with various types of nonprofessional, nonmaterial help to pulmonary embolism patients. The help may take the form of providing relevant information, relating personal experiences, listening to others’ experiences, providing sympathetic understanding, and establishing social networks. A support group may also provide ancillary support, such as serving as a voice for the public or engaging in advocacy.

PE, due to its sudden appearance in an otherwise healthy person, comes as a surprise and disbelief for most of the patients. The support group helps patients deal with that feeling of anxiety and shock. Various non-profit organizations have been developed, and they are helping patients cope with the emotional trauma. One such non-profit organizations is North American Thrombosis Forum.

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