Nurse mentor perceptions in the delivery of a home-based cardiac rehabilitation program to support patients living in rural areas: An interpretive study. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frohmader, Terence J.; Lin, Frances; Chaboyer, Wendy P.
• Is Part Of: Nurse education in practice. Volume 24(2017:May)
• Page Start: 77
• Page End: 83
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: Home-based cardiac rehabilitation -- Home based cardiac rehabilitation -- Cardiac rehabilitation -- Nurse -- Nurse mentor -- Mentoring -- Patients; Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Education, Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Study and teaching; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.73071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2017.04.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-5953

Abstract

Abstract: Home-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs improve health outcomes for people diagnosed with heart disease. Mentoring of patients by nurses trained in CR has been proposed as an innovative model of cardiac care. Little is known however, about the experience of mentors facilitating such programs and adapting to this new role. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore nurse mentor perceptions of their role in the delivery of a home-based CR program for rural patients unable to attend a hospital or outpatient CR program. Seven nurses mentored patients by telephone providing patients with education, psychosocial support and lifestyle advice during their recovery. An open-ended survey was administered to mentors by email and findings revealed mentors perceived their role to be integral to the success of the program. Nurses were satisfied with the development of their new role as patient mentors. They believed their collaborative skills, knowledge and experience in coronary care, timely support and guidance of patients during their recovery and use of innovative audiovisual resources improved the health outcomes of patients not able to attend traditional programs. Cardiac nurses in this study perceived that they were able to successfully transition from their normal work practices in hospital to mentoring patients in their homes. Highlights: Using nurses to mentor patients in their homes represents a new model of after hospital cardio-rehabilitative care. Coronary care nurses transitioned successfully from a hospital based role to a nurse mentor role after specific training. Although some nurses found the new role a challenge, most found the experience satisfying and professionally rewarding. Mentors perceived their role integral in providing after hospital care and timely support for patients. Nurses can potentially mentor patients in a range of disease-specific self-help programs to improve their health.