Authors: (including presenting author): :
Sze SSP(1), Chan OY(1), Ng HY(1), Lau WY(1), Wong WY(1), Leung SY(2)
Affiliation: :
(1)Department of Medicine, (2)Physiotherapy Department, Haven of Hope Hospital
Introduction: :
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has been recognized as one of the most effective therapeutic strategies for chronic respiratory diseases. However, non-adherence to health-enhancing behaviours can lead to deterioration in functional capacity and repeated hospitalization. There is evidence from literature showing education, led by trained non-health professionals with chronic diseases, could have beneficial effects on patient’s physio-psychological outcomes. As a result, a trial of Peer Sharing of Disease Management (PSDM) was conducted in Haven of Hope Hospital (HHH) since November 2018.
Objectives: :
To evaluate the usefulness of PSDM from patients’ perspectives and the percentage of patients agree to join PSDM as volunteers in future.
Methodology: :
Patients graduated from Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program(PRP) were invited as volunteers to share the benefits of self-management and their real-life experience in PSDM.
Each session of PSDM lasted for 30-minute and every PRP patient attended one session of PSDM during their 6-week PRP training.
Evaluation was conducted after PSDM session. A self-rated questionnaire consisted of 6 questions, using a 4-point Likert scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree, was completed by each patient. The questions included whether they agreed PSDM could consolidate their knowledge, improve their confidence in self-management, practice the skills in their daily activities more efficiently and encourage them for continued exercise. A questionnaire was also completed by volunteers and asked whether PSDM could improve their self–management skills and increase their social network. All patients and volunteers were asked for their willingness to join PSDM as volunteers in future.
Result & Outcome: :
From 02 November 2018 to 01 November 2019, 16 sessions of PSDM were provided to 103 patients. 15 volunteers were involved. The majority of patients were male (82.35%) with diagnosis of COPD(67.24%), bronchiectasis(18.10%) and asthma(10.34%). Their mean age was 72.32+/-9.60 year-old. Comparable to the volunteers, 93.33% were male with mean age 71.80+/-8.27 and 86.67% of them had COPD. Response rate of patients and volunteers for evaluation was 100%. Over 98% patients and volunteers strongly agreed or agreed that PSDM could benefit for them in different aspects of disease management. 87.25% patients and all volunteers agreed to join PSDM as volunteers in future. Conclusions: PRP patients and volunteers perceived PSDM was useful in sustaining health enhancing behaviours. They also expressed willingness to become volunteers in future.
