Alexandra Assabiny, Orsolya Papp-Zipernovszky, Zsófia Ocsovszky, Blanka Ehrenberger, Béla Merkely, Beáta Dávid
Participants (n = 201, 152 male) evaluated whether they received peer support across four phases of transplant journey: pre-waiting list, waiting list, intensive care unit and first post-transplant year (FY). Support was rated as positive, negative, not received but requested, or not received and not requested. Peer support was significantly more frequent after transplantation than before (75% vs. 48%, p < 0.001). A notable proportion did not receive support despite wishing for it (19.9 -7%). Most participants reported peer support as highly beneficial, and no negative experiences were reported. No psychosocial differences were observed between supported and unsupported recipients pre-HTX.Those receiving support in the FY had higher education attainment. Individuals who would have requested support showed the lowest BRIEF, the highest BDI-H and AUDIT scores. Regression analyses revealed no predictive effects of peer support.
INTRODUCTION: Peer support in heart transplantation (HTX) remains underexplored.
METHODS: We investigated recipients' experiences with peer support and its associations with quality of life, health literacy (BRIEF), medication adherence, depressive symptoms (BDI-H) and alcohol consumption (AUDIT).
RESULTS: Participants (n = 201, 152 male) evaluated whether they received peer support across four phases of transplant journey: pre-waiting list, waiting list, intensive care unit and first post-transplant year (FY). Support was rated as positive, negative, not received but requested, or not received and not requested. Peer support was significantly more frequent after transplantation than before (75% vs. 48%, p < 0.001). A notable proportion did not receive support despite wishing for it (19.9 -7%). Most participants reported peer support as highly beneficial, and no negative experiences were reported. No psychosocial differences were observed between supported and unsupported recipients pre-HTX.Those receiving support in the FY had higher education attainment. Individuals who would have requested support showed the lowest BRIEF, the highest BDI-H and AUDIT scores. Regression analyses revealed no predictive effects of peer support.
DISCUSSION: Overall, peer support is common and positively perceived among HTX recipients. However, individuals with unmet support needs during the first post-transplant year may represent a vulnerable subgroup, underscoring the need for more structured peer support interventions.