Peer support. An under-recognized resource in cardiac recovery.
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality and premature death in western societies. Thus, rates of interventions such as coronary artery bypass surgery are continuing to grow. Health care reform and initiatives to reduce health care expenditures have resulted in early patient discharge from hospital following cardiac surgery. With subsequent cutbacks in nursing support and community-based care, patients are leaving hospital less prepared and supported to deal with the changes that occur during the first weeks of recovery.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the theoretical assumptions that support the contention that peer support is an under-utilized resource for patients who are recovering from cardiac surgery and the challenges to evaluating peer support interventions.


METHODS
A review of current literature, which focuses on cardiac surgery recovery, transitions, social support, and peer support interventions.


RESULTS
Peer support (lay assistance from individuals who possess experiential knowledge and similar characteristics), a form of social support, is a viable and potentially sustainable mechanism to put in place during transitional life events such as recovery from cardiac surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Further investigation is needed of peer support interventions for cardiac surgery patients. Specifically, investigations of the influence of peer support interventions on recovery and health outcomes are necessary in this patient population. Yet, challenges exist to undertaking well-designed investigations of social interventions such as peer support.
Colella
Tracey J F
TJ
University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada.
King
Kathryn M
KM
D000359:Aftercare; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003289:Convalescence; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010379:Peer Group; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires