The use of innovative methods designed to relieve social isolation in patients with chronic heart failure; volunteer befriending, forums and a newsletter

Louise Peardon; Diane Yellowlees; Rebekah Pratt; Janet Reid; Maureen O'Donnell; Andrea Ness; Campbell Chalmers; Stephen J. Leslie; Martin A. Denvir

doi:10.1016/j.ejcnurse.2009.12.001

The use of innovative methods designed to relieve social isolation in patients with chronic heart failure; volunteer befriending, forums and a newsletter

Louise Peardon, Diane Yellowlees, Rebekah Pratt, Janet Reid, Maureen O'Donnell, Andrea Ness, Campbell Chalmers, Stephen J. Leslie, Martin A. Denvir

Family Medicine and Community Health (Twin Cities)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Social isolation in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) is an adverse prognostic factor. This paper reports the creation of a supportive patient/carer network (Heart Failure Support Service), led by a voluntary sector/National Health Service (NHS) partnership which involved volunteer befriending, regular patient and carer forum and a newsletter. The project: Over 3. years, 37 volunteers were 'befrienders' to over 50 individuals with CHF. A thorough training and matching process ensured that the first befriending visit was a positive experience. 100% of patients found the visits from the volunteer worthwhile and said they would recommend the service to other patients. Prior to the first patient-carer forum, 200 questionnaires were sent out with a 56% response rate, 44% of respondents believed that a forum and a newsletter would be valued. Over a period of 3. years, 12 quarterly meetings were held with an average attendance of 30-40 per meeting. The newsletter (current circulation > 800 per quarter) contributed to self-management and encouraged communication between professionals and patients-carers. Conclusions: The Heart Failure Support Service (volunteers, forum and newsletter) created a supportive patient-carer network and represents a successful voluntary sector/NHS partnership.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	181-187
Number of pages	7
Journal	European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
Volume	9
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcnurse.2009.12.001
State	Published - Sep 2010

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to acknowledge the help of the patients and their carers for the success of these initiatives and completion of feedback forms. Funding from Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland and the Big Lottery Fund is gratefully acknowledged.

Keywords

Befriending
Chronic heart failure
Voluntary sector

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10.1016/j.ejcnurse.2009.12.001

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Peardon, L., Yellowlees, D., Pratt, R., Reid, J., O'Donnell, M., Ness, A., Chalmers, C., Leslie, S. J., & Denvir, M. A. (2010). The use of innovative methods designed to relieve social isolation in patients with chronic heart failure; volunteer befriending, forums and a newsletter. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 9(3), 181-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcnurse.2009.12.001

Peardon, L, Yellowlees, D, Pratt, R, Reid, J, O'Donnell, M, Ness, A, Chalmers, C, Leslie, SJ & Denvir, MA 2010, 'The use of innovative methods designed to relieve social isolation in patients with chronic heart failure; volunteer befriending, forums and a newsletter', European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 181-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcnurse.2009.12.001

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abstract = "Introduction: Social isolation in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) is an adverse prognostic factor. This paper reports the creation of a supportive patient/carer network (Heart Failure Support Service), led by a voluntary sector/National Health Service (NHS) partnership which involved volunteer befriending, regular patient and carer forum and a newsletter. The project: Over 3. years, 37 volunteers were 'befrienders' to over 50 individuals with CHF. A thorough training and matching process ensured that the first befriending visit was a positive experience. 100% of patients found the visits from the volunteer worthwhile and said they would recommend the service to other patients. Prior to the first patient-carer forum, 200 questionnaires were sent out with a 56% response rate, 44% of respondents believed that a forum and a newsletter would be valued. Over a period of 3. years, 12 quarterly meetings were held with an average attendance of 30-40 per meeting. The newsletter (current circulation > 800 per quarter) contributed to self-management and encouraged communication between professionals and patients-carers. Conclusions: The Heart Failure Support Service (volunteers, forum and newsletter) created a supportive patient-carer network and represents a successful voluntary sector/NHS partnership.",

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The use of innovative methods designed to relieve social isolation in patients with chronic heart failure; volunteer befriending, forums and a newsletter

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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