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A Pilot Test of a Peer Navigator Intervention for Improving the Health of Individuals with Serious Mental Illness

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Abstract

Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) are at considerably higher risk for morbidity and mortality than those in the general population. The current pilot trial is a preliminary examination of a peer health navigation intervention for improving health and healthcare utilization called the Bridge. Twenty-four individuals with SMI were randomly assigned to either peer navigation or treatment as usual (TAU). Navigators encouraged development of self-management of healthcare through a series of psychoeducation and behavioral strategies. Outcomes included a range of health consequences, as well as health utilization indices. After 6 months, compared to the TAU group, participants receiving the intervention experienced fewer pain and health symptoms. Participants changed their orientation about seeking care to a primary care provider (44.4 % vs. 83.3 %, χ2 = 3.50, p < .05) rather than the emergency room (55.6 % vs. 0 %, χ2 = 8.75, p < .01). Therefore, the Bridge intervention demonstrated considerable promise through positively impacting health and healthcare utilization.

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Acknowledgments

Funded with support from the UniHealth Foundation, the Los Angeles Basin Clinical Translational Science Institute at the University of Southern California, the Clinical Translational Science Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Services Research Center, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90023, USA

    Erin Kelly

  2. School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA

    Anthony Fulginiti, Rohini Pahwa, Louise Tallen, Lei Duan & John S. Brekke

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  1. Erin Kelly
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  2. Anthony Fulginiti
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  3. Rohini Pahwa
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  4. Louise Tallen
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Correspondence to Erin Kelly.

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Kelly, E., Fulginiti, A., Pahwa, R. et al. A Pilot Test of a Peer Navigator Intervention for Improving the Health of Individuals with Serious Mental Illness. Community Ment Health J 50, 435–446 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9616-4

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