title: A pilot test of a peer navigator intervention for improving the health of individuals with serious mental illness.
abstract: Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) are at considerably higher risk for morbidity and mortality than those in the general population. The current pilot trial is a preliminary examination of a peer health navigation intervention for improving health and healthcare utilization called the Bridge. Twenty-four individuals with SMI were randomly assigned to either peer navigation or treatment as usual (TAU). Navigators encouraged development of self-management of healthcare through a series of psychoeducation and behavioral strategies. Outcomes included a range of health consequences, as well as health utilization indices. After 6 months, compared to the TAU group, participants receiving the intervention experienced fewer pain and health symptoms. Participants changed their orientation about seeking care to a primary care provider (44.4 % vs. 83.3 %, χ(2) = 3.50, p < .05) rather than the emergency room (55.6 % vs. 0 %, χ(2) = 8.75, p < .01). Therefore, the Bridge intervention demonstrated considerable promise through positively impacting health and healthcare utilization.
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research Center, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90023, USA, elk_006@usc.edu.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fulginiti
authors.forename: Rohini
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pahwa
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tallen
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Brekke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D062526:Patient Navigation / Q000379:methods*; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D058996:Quality Improvement; D020377:Self Efficacy