Delivery of a community-based peer mentorship program for people with spinal cord injury at a rehabilitation center

Front. Rehabil. Sci., 2023 · DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1296505 · Published: November 29, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Social Support

Simple Explanation

This study explores how community-based spinal cord injury (SCI) organizations collaborate with rehabilitation centers to deliver peer mentorship programs. The researchers investigated the barriers, facilitators, and collaboration processes involved in a peer mentorship program at a rehabilitation center. The study used interviews with mentees, mentors, program directors, and healthcare professionals to understand the program's delivery.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

7 participants: 2 mentees, 2 mentors, 1 program director, and 2 healthcare professionals

Evidence Level

Level 4: Qualitative Case Study

Key Findings

1
Successful program delivery requires strong inter-professional relationships between healthcare professionals and community organizational staff.
2
Potential cost, minimal patient needs, and limited mentor resources were identified as barriers to the program.
3
Engaging healthcare professionals through communication and collaborative program evaluation are important for maintaining effective partnerships.

Research Summary

This study aimed to identify barriers, facilitators, and collaboration processes within a SCI peer mentorship program provided by a community-based organization at a rehabilitation center. Ten factors were identiﬁed to inﬂuence the delivery of the peer mentorship program, including nine CFIR constructs. The collaboration processes and strategies to addressing/leveraging the barriers and facilitators may inform evidence-based practice to establish and optimize the delivery of SCI peer mentorship programs in various rehabilitation settings.

Practical Implications

Program Development

The findings can help community-based SCI organizations and rehabilitation institutions develop and optimize peer mentorship programs.

Interprofessional Collaboration

The study highlights the importance of fostering interprofessional collaboration between organizational staff and health professionals.

Communication Strategies

Creating shared workspace and facilitating informal conversations can enhance communication between mentors and rehabilitation staff.

Study Limitations

1
The study only recruited two health professionals from the rehabilitation center.
2
The health professionals may have had a favorable opinion about the peer mentorship program.
3
The researchers did not apply the updated version of CFIR.

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