Clare conway, emma thompson and chris caldwell describe the findings and the benefits from setting up a peer support group for adolescents with brain and spinal tumours

Adolescence is a period of immense physical and psychosocial change. It is frequently characterised by considerable turmoil and upheaval for the individual and his or her family (1-4). A number of recent publications have examined the special needs of adolescents who are ill or hospitalised (5-7). These needs arise largely as a result of the factors associated with illness and hospitalisation which might compromise normal adolescent development. For example, illness often causes further changes to a physical appearance which is already changing dramatically and rapidly. In addition, hospitalisation and sometimes debilitating medical treatments represent imposed physical restriction for individuals who are striving for freedom and 'space' to spend time with their peers, rather than being cooped up in hospital feeling lonely, bored and distressed, surrounded by either noisy babies and younger children, or by older people they see as frightening.