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Nurses at Staten Island Continuing Day Treatment, part of Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), Staten Island, NY, treat patients with psychiatric problems, including schizophrenia. The trick is to figure out how to best relate to these patients. As research shows, group therapy is often a way to get patients out of their shells and start on the road to a better life.
Ronni Donza, RN-C, has taken group therapy at RUMC to a new level. When she and other staff members started quilting during breaks many years ago, they had an idea: Why not teach patients to quilt, too? They found quilting was relaxing for their patients and helped them open up about personal issues.
"The response was incredible," Donza recalled. "We had patients who were so depressed, they were minimally verbal. But when they started knitting together, they were interacting, learning and producing things. Even people who had problems with attendance to group meetings suddenly came to life with this program."
Giving to Others
One patient, who was previously introverted, is now an assistant teacher in the group. Others seek her help in crocheting and, as a result, her interpersonal skills and self-confidence are soaring.
As Donza has experimented with other crafts, she has kept the group evolving.
"Now they're knitting and crocheting," Donza said. "They are producing beautiful things and getting positive feedback."
The knitting group not only helps the patients but others who are less fortunate. The group is making afghans to present to the women and children's section of Project Hospitality at Christmas.
"Now we're gearing it more toward giving," Donza said. "To see these patients identify with others who have more needs than them is really something." n
- Kathleen A. Waton
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