[Group treatment of psoriasis with the duo formula].

Group treatment for and by psoriasis patients was the subject of a trial. For 12 sessions over a period of 3 months, a fellow sufferer as co-helper cooperated with a professional specialist as co-worker according to the so-called duo formula. When the results were compared with those in a control group, the patients showed a change in the dimensions examined, as well as in their illness behaviour and insight into the value of problem-solving in groups. Therefore, it is recommended that dermatologist/co-helper teams be instructed for group treatment of chronic skin diseases, because this method stimulates self-activity in patients.