SCIU Peer Health Coaching Program for Individuals Newly Discharged From Inpatient Rehabilitation

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate whether the online program and web-based platform called SCI U can support people with spinal cord injury SCI as they transition from hospital to community living. The study focuses on individuals within three years of their SCI who are either planning to be discharged to or currently living in the community in British Columbia, Canada, or Connecticut, United States. The main question is whether this program can reduce emotional distress and improve self-management skills and confidence compared to usual peer support. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the SCI U self-management program or a control group receiving the existing peer support program. Those in the SCI U group will take part in up to 14 online coaching sessions with trained peer health coaches. These sessions, lasting about 45 to 60 minutes each, will cover health topics like bladder, bowel, skin care, pain, healthy eating, and mental health, along with self-management skills such as goal setting and problem solving. The control group will receive standard peer support services. During the study, participants will complete surveys at the start, 6 months, and 12 months to measure emotional distress, self-efficacy, health activities, social support, and other health-related outcomes. Coaches will track progress on the web platform, including goal setting and action plans. The research team will closely monitor these measures to understand the programs impact on health self-management and secondary complications over time.

SCI&U Peer Health Coaching Program for Individuals Newly Discharged From Inpatient Rehabilitation