Peer Visitation for OEF/OIF Veterans

Peer visitation (PV) provides individuals newly dealing with a particular injury/ illness
with an opportunity to interact with a peer who has successfully managed a similar
condition. Interaction with a successful role model can provide credible social support and
information, increase self-efficacy and teach coping strategies, which in turn can engender
hope and motivation to engage in treatment and use active coping strategies. In spite of
the widespread clinical availability of PV programs, the amount and type of training and
clinical/organizational varies widely, and empirical support for their efficacy is limited.
The main objective of this project is to test the feasibility of implementing a PV program
for OEF/OIF veterans with war-related polytrauma.

The proposed study will represents a unique opportunity to evaluate three important aspects
of peer visitation among OEF/OIF Veterans. Our three hypotheses are: H 1: Veteran Peer
Visitors (VPVs) who complete the training will demonstrate successful acquisition of
efficacy, knowledge and skills as measured by: (1) pre- and post-tests administered before
and after the training; (2) trainer evaluations upon completion of the training, (3)
self-evaluation of at least two actual peer visits, and (4) evaluation by two individuals
who receive peer visits. H2: VPVs who complete the study will demonstrate increased
self-care, improved mood, and increased post-traumatic growth compared to pre-training
baseline measures. H 3: Veterans who receive a visit from a VPV will endorse improvement in
one or more of the following areas: stress, self-efficacy, activation, mood, ability to make
meaning of their experiences, and knowledge of coping options.

We propose to use a mixed-methods study to evaluate the feasibility of PV training materials
developed in a previous grant to certify 12-18 Veteran Peer Visitors (VPVs). The proposed
research team has already developed the VPV training materials to be tested in this
feasibility study, including screening tools to identify appropriate candidates for VPV
training, an Instructor manual and a Veteran PV workbook. Two types of participants: Veteran
Peer Visitors (n=18) and Recipients of VPVs (n=36) will be recruited via the Polytrauma
Network Site in VISN 20 (Seattle). VPVs will be nominated by a clinician to participate and,
if enrolled, will undergo 2-day training and will be required to pass a test upon completion
of training. We have partnered with VA Voluntary Services for this project, and training
will include a VA Voluntary Services background check, and orientation to the VHA and VA
privacy policies. VPVs will be official VA volunteers. Each certified VPV will be required
to provide 1-5 visits to at least two Veterans. Both VPVs and recipients of VPV will
complete surveys at baseline and upon study completion so that we can evaluate changes in
outcomes pre-post intervention.

The findings of this project will provide an empirical platform upon which to conduct a
multi-site trial of Veteran Peer Visitation among other VA Polytrauma programs. If found to
be effective, this intervention could be disseminated throughout the VHA.