Recorded presentation

Nancy Holson, MPH, Division of Infectious Diseases, Harlem Hospital/Columbia University, 506 Lenox Ave, MLK Bldg, Rm3101-A, New York, NY 10037, 212-939-2371, nih3@columbia.edu, Sharon B Mannheimer, MD, Harlem Hospital Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 506 Lenox Avenue rm 3101-A, New York, NY 10037, Julie Franks, PhD, Harlem Hospital Center, Columbia University, 506 Lenox Avenue rm 3101-A, New York, NY 10037, Bill Bower, MPH, Charles P. Felton National Tuberculosis Center, Harlem Hospital Center, 2238 5th Ave, First Floor, New York, NY 10037, and Paul Colson, PhD, Charles P. Felton National Tuberculosis Center, 2238 Fifth Avenue, First Floor, New York, NY 10037.

Issues: Non-professional peer educators who share similar backgrounds and experiences with their clients are able to enhance the provider-patient relationship and support clients to adopt positive health seeking behaviors. The work is exciting but challenging and requires supportive management throughout the project. Program managers are expected to provide structure, establish expectations, build team spirit, foster and support personal advancement and give direction, while reminding peers of their crucial and unique contribution to program goals. Description: Our randomized clinical trial utilizes 5 trained peer educators to support adherence to and completion of treatment for Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI). Initial peer training included a 2-week session covering basic tuberculosis and adherence–related topics, followed by an additional in-house training with the program manager that focused on work expectations and guidelines. Ongoing trainings in the form of in-house computer classes and educational sessions provide skill-building opportunities and encourage cohesion among staff. A monthly program newsletter builds team spirit by highlighting the project, the peers and their accomplishments. Participation in the hospital’s community advisory board and the community network for clinical trials fosters personal advancement and allows for research skill-building on a national level. A multi-disciplinary intervention team meets bi-weekly for case management to strategize and provide guidance for peers addressing difficult cases. Individual manager-peer case-review sessions provide further opportunity to discuss cases, explore difficult aspects of peer work, and provide supportive feedback. Conclusion: Program managers provide essential managerial, technical, and emotional support, and are necessary for maintaining staff cohesion and project momentum.

Learning Objectives:

• To develop a managerial strategy that supports effective peer educators.
• To identify how different techniques can support peers.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation