181199 Outcomes of a SCI/D peer mentor program

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Inger Ljungberg, BS , Neuroscience Research, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington, DC
Objective: Determine outcomes of a Peer mentor program focused on providing social, emotional, and psychological support for newly injured Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) or newly diagnosed Spinal Cord Disease (SCD) persons.

Design: Quasi-experimental design

Participants/ Method: 37 individuals with a newly diagnosed SCI or SCD who received inpatient rehabilitation at National Rehabilitation hospital were enrolled in peer-mentoring program. Outcome measures included self efficacy (GSEF) assessment upon enrollment and 6 months post enrollment, as well as a structured exit interview with participants.

Results: Of the 37 individuals, 14(9 para, 5 tetra) have currently completed the program. Average age was 29.79 (SD11.55). While the program is focusing on decreasing secondary complications, it also targets community reintegration. There is a correlation of higher GSEF and higher education (p = 0.7) Also, subjects with higher education tend to return to community more successfully. Exit interview showed that those who completed the program considered it helpful with regards to living successfully with SCI/D while evaluating program's success as 4.07 on a 5-point scale

Conclusion: Preliminary results indicate a positive relationship between having a peer mentor and decreased number of secondary complications, and increased knowledge about self management and life after SCI/D in persons involved with the peer-mentoring program

Support: This project is funded by NIDRR grant #H133B031114, the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on SCI: Promoting Health and Preventing Complications through Exercise.

Learning Objectives:
Looking at the outcomes of the peer mentor program developed at National Rehabilitation Hospital. Lessons learned in establishing the program, and was it beneficial for the subjects. Prelimiary results indicate a positive relationship between having a peer mentor and a decrease of secondary complications.

Keywords: Disability, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked with this project as a project coordinator over the past three years, and have consulted with the PI of the project prior to abstract submission.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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