 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
A. Barrett Gray, MSW, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 8317 Wallinwood Sp., Jenison, MI, MI 49428, 734-834-0627, abgray@umich.edu and Deborah Schild Wilkinson, PhD,, MPH,, MSW, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South Univ, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
Adjustment to chronic illness requires major life changes. Chronically ill persons are particularly physically and mentally vulnerable due to isolation and lack of support. Peer mentoring for support of individuals with kidney disease has been developed and used successfully by the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. This study has two primary goals. (1) Test the possible effects of peer mentoring with patients other than those with ESRD, and, thus to lay the groundwork for a larger study. (2) Establish the level of institutional support needed for the implementation of such a program through hospital social work departments. Seven individuals with managed chronic illness were selected by social workers at a large teaching hospital to be mentors. The mentors underwent a 16 hour training held over two days. Each will be matched by the clinic social workers with up to four patients who have similar illnesses. Mentoring will be conducted via telephone or in face-to-face visits at the clinics at least twice a month for four months. The study participants will participate in interviews to discuss their experiences. Mentees will complete pre- and post-intervention anxiety and locus of control scale instruments to measure potential differences. Qualitative data will be analyzed using a constant comparative method. T-tests will be used to examine for trend differences in anxiety and locus and control with this small sample. Patients with increased locus of control and decreased anxiety are likely to better manage their illnesses remain healthier, have fewer acute episodes, and lower health costs.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Chronic Diseases, Patient Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.