RGUHS Nat. J. Pub. Heal. Sci Vol No: 4 Issue No: 2 eISSN:
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1PT, PhD, Principal, JSS College of Physiotherapy, Mysore.
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This editorial is aimed at describing the role of peer support in improving outcomes with therapeutic interventions, and makes recommendations for future research in this field.
Rehabilitation is a lifelong endeavour and not a cure. It is not hierarchical; it is ever changing, and continuously brings successes and challenges. It is a journey taken with a whole eco system of family, friends, healthcare professionals and society at large. Outcomes measured as quality of life and empowerment is ultimately about creating and living a meaningful life in a community of choice. In this journey, connecting with others who have a similar history or experience can be empowering, particularly if the history relates to illness, dysfunction, or trauma. By connecting with a community of similar individuals, burdens are shared, experiences can be given a status of normal, solutions can be shared, and hopes of a bright future are born, decreasing the feeling of loneliness and helplessness. Formalised peer support can assist in many ways including seeking solutions, sharing experiences and altogether as a facilitator of recovery.
In an effort to manage the rehabilitative needs of patients who have chronic diseases, it is important that the decades of prior research and knowledge from other countries to improve outcomes are leveraged and translated into practice in our country. Overarchingly, it is important that we treat and manage symptoms and problems in a timely and effective manner rather than being overly concerned with the concept of “normal”.
Peer support services bring together non-professionals with similar stressors or health problems for… mutual support or unidirectional support from an experienced peer to a novice peer. Peer support services can be delivered in groups or pairs, and in person, over the telephone, or through the internet.
Models of peer support have been described in the past.
Based on shared experiential empathy, peer support has long been used in other patient populations such as those with cancer. It has more recently been explored in patients with heart failure, diabetes and traumatic brain injury. Therefore, this model has value for people with chronic disabling illnesses. The ICF model of health and disability identifies personal and environmental factors as modifiers of health. Formal peer support groups fit in well with this model. Although peer support must be formed by non-professionals, professionals can act as facilitators to ensure that this is successful. With the increasing number of disabling conditions in India, it is the right time for physiotherapists to engage in this activity in their role as patient advocates.
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References
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