Social Networks Of Patients Research Articles

Perceived family cohesion, social support, and quality of life in patients undergoing treatment for substance use disorders compared with patients with mental and physical disorders

PurposeSupport from family and other social network elements can be important in helping patients to cope with practical and emotional consequences of diseases. The aim of the study was to examine perception of family and social support and quality of life (QoL) in patients undergoing treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). We compared them with patients in treatment for mental disorders (MDs) and physical disorders (PDs).MethodsWe used data from a national multicenter study that recruited patients (N = 518) from three treatment domains; SUD treatment units, MD treatment units, and PD treatment units (severe neurological conditions or cancer). Data on family cohesion, social support, and QoL were compared across patient groups. In addition, data on health variables was collected. We used a multiple linear regression procedure to examine how health and support variables were associated with QoL.ResultsFamily cohesion and social support in the SUD and MD groups were rated at similarly low levels, substantially lower than in the PD group. The SUD group exhibited a somewhat lower QoL than did the PD group, but their QoL was still in the near-to-normal range. In contrast, the MD group had markedly low QoL. When examining factors associated with QoL, we found that greater family cohesion and social support were positively associated with QoL. Mental distress was the strongest factor, and was negatively associated with QoL (beta − 0.15, 95% CI = − 0.17/− 0.14, p < 0.001).ConclusionService providers need to be aware of the weaker networks and less regulatory family and/or social support available to patients with SUDs. Providers should focus consistently on the social networks of patients and include patients’ families in treatment processes.

Social Network Structure Is Related to Functional Improvement From Home-Based Telerehabilitation After Stroke.

Objective: Telerehabilitation (TR) is now, in the context of COVID-19, more clinically relevant than ever as a major source of outpatient care. The social network of a patient is a critical yet understudied factor in the success of TR that may influence both engagement in therapy programs and post-stroke outcomes. We designed a 12-week home-based TR program for stroke patients and evaluated which social factors might be related to motor gains and reduced depressive symptoms.Methods: Stroke patients (n = 13) with arm motor deficits underwent supervised home-based TR for 12 weeks with routine assessments of motor function and mood. At the 6-week midpoint, we mapped each patient's personal social network and evaluated relationships between social network metrics and functional improvements from TR. Finally, we compared social networks of TR patients with a historical cohort of 176 stroke patients who did not receive any TR to identify social network differences.Results: Both network size and network density were related to walk time improvement (p = 0.025; p = 0.003). Social network density was related to arm motor gains (p = 0.003). Social network size was related to reduced depressive symptoms (p = 0.015). TR patient networks were larger (p = 0.012) and less dense (p = 0.046) than historical stroke control networks.Conclusions: Social network structure is positively related to improvement in motor status and mood from TR. TR patients had larger and more open social networks than stroke patients who did not receive TR. Understanding how social networks intersect with TR outcomes is crucial to maximize effects of virtual rehabilitation.

Perceived Barriers in the Decision for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery: Results from a Representative Study in Germany.

Attitudes of the general public may be an influencing factor for low surgery rates: When skepticism is high, support for individuals wanting or needing to undergo surgery may diminish. This study assesses the relevance of barriers to metabolic surgery. The study was conducted using a representative sample of the German population (n = 1007). Participants were asked to imagine that they would have to decide for or against metabolic surgery and rate how this decision would be influenced by a number of reasons given to them (Likert scale). Results are presented by weight status. The barrier found most irrelevant is that surgery could be considered cheating across all weight groups. About a fourth of the sample state that not knowing enough about surgery (28.5%), being afraid of surgery (28.3%), and potential negative consequences after surgery (24.5%) are reasons against metabolic surgery that were rated extremely relevant. Having obesity was a significant predictor of endorsement in two variables: feeling like cheating (lower probability for relevance, OR = 0.58, p = 0.025) and a lack of knowledge (lower probability for relevance, OR = 0.59, p = 0.031). In summary, the public's view of weight loss surgery lacks information about post-surgical consequences. It is important to address these points in the public and in social networks of patients as they may be pre- or antecedent of surgery stigma.

If he wasn't helping me, I'd be dead: Social Networks of Patients with Preventable Hospitalizations

If he wasn't helping me, I'd be dead: Social Networks of Patients with Preventable Hospitalizations

If he wasn't helping me, I'd be dead: Social Networks of Patients with Preventable Hospitalizations

If he wasn't helping me, I'd be dead: Social Networks of Patients with Preventable Hospitalizations

Social networks of patients with multimorbidity: a qualitative study of patients' and supporters' views.

INTRODUCTION Multimorbidity impacts on patients' health and wellbeing, but relationships experienced within social networks can support people to live well. AIM This study sought to elicit the views of New Zealanders with multimorbidity about their social networks and the views of their nominated supporters. METHODS Ten patients with multimorbidity and their nominated supporters each independently recorded their views of the patient's social network on a five-concentric-circle template, indicating supporting role and importance to each patient. Sets of patients' and nominated supporters' templates were compared followed by comparing matched pairs of patient-supporter templates. Nominated supporters' views about the patients' networks and why they were nominated were collated. RESULTS Three patients nominated family members as supporters and seven nominated health professionals. Nominated family members identified a greater range of supporters than nominated health professionals. Nominated family members perceived that they played an integral role, whereas health professionals were less comfortable viewing relationships with patients in this way. Family members were not surprised to be nominated as supporters, and some described a considerable burden of care. Health professionals described themselves as coordinators of support and having positive relationships with patients. DISCUSSION Patients with multimorbidity have rich and diverse social networks. They view partners, family and health professionals as providing significant support. Family members are more aware of their role and have a deeper understanding of other network members than health professionals. Further research is needed on the use of social networks in clinical practice to support the health and wellbeing of those with multimorbidity.

Assessing Social Networks in Patients with Psychotic Disorders: A Systematic Review of Instruments.

BackgroundEvidence suggests that social networks of patients with psychotic disorders influence symptoms, quality of life and treatment outcomes. It is therefore important to assess social networks for which appropriate and preferably established instruments should be used.AimsTo identify instruments assessing social networks in studies of patients with psychotic disorders and explore their properties.MethodA systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to identify studies that used a measure of social networks in patients with psychotic disorders.ResultsEight instruments were identified, all of which had been developed before 1991. They have been used in 65 studies (total N of patients = 8,522). They assess one or more aspects of social networks such as their size, structure, dimensionality and quality. Most instruments have various shortcomings, including questionable inter-rater and test-retest reliability.ConclusionsThe assessment of social networks in patients with psychotic disorders is characterized by a variety of approaches which may reflect the complexity of the construct. Further research on social networks in patients with psychotic disorders would benefit from advanced and more precise instruments using comparable definitions of and timescales for social networks across studies.

The Impact of Drug Use in Social Networks of Patients with Substance Use and Bipolar Disorders

In this exploratory analysis, we assessed the effect of drug use among social-network members on recovery from drug dependence in patients with co-occurring bipolar disorder. Patients (n = 57) enrolled in a group therapy study completed assessments over 15 months. Patients with zero to one drug users in their social networks at intake had few days of drug use during treatment and follow-up, whereas those with ≥ 2 drug users had significantly more days of drug use. Multivariate analysis showed that patients who consistently named multiple drug users in their social networks had a marked increase in drug use over 15 months, while those who never or occasionally named multiple drug users had a small decline in drug use over time. Multiple drug users in social networks of treatment-seeking drug-dependent patients with co-occurring bipolar disorder may indicate poor drug use outcomes; efforts to reduce the association with drug users may be useful. This clinical trial has been registered in a public trials registry at clinicaltrials.gov (identifier is NCT00227838).

Social Networks in Borderline Personality Disorder

The interpersonal dysfunction that characterizes borderline personality disorder (BPD) has generally been studied using broad global measures, leading to a lack of precision. We report on a novel methodology using social network analysis (SNA) to quantify interactions with others in the patient's social world. We assessed the social networks of 22 clinical patients, diagnosed with either BPD (N = 11) or no personality disorder (No PD; N = 11). The social networks of patients with BPD contained a greater number of former romantic partners, and a greater number of relationships that had been terminated. Mixed model analyses found that the No PD group reported higher levels of positive relationships (e.g., trust, social support) with more central members of their social networks, whereas the BPD group did not discriminate among members of their networks. Results suggest deficits in social cognition for positive relations, but not for negative relations such as interpersonal conflict.

Social networks of patients with bipolar affective disorder.

Social networks of patients with bipolar affective disorder.

The role of social networks: A novel hypothesis to explain the phenomenon of racial disparity in kidney transplantation

COMPARED WITH dialysis therapy, it has been shown that kidney transplantation provides patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) improved physical and mental health, and is more cost-effective.1,2 However, rates of transplantation referrals are not consistent among ethnic groups of patients with ESRD. African Americans are much less likely than white patients with ESRD to be referred for a renal transplant, placed on a waiting list for a kidney, or receive a kidney transplant.3-5 Conclusions on these disproportionate levels of transplantation referrals have not included many theoretically substantiated causes or solutions. The US Department of Health and Human Services, commenting on this problem, reported: “This and other research does not allow us to identify with certainty the factors which prevent equitable access to organ transplantation.”6 Explanations for minority underutilization of transplantation as a treatment modality for ESRD have included socioeconomic, medical, and patient-preference factors. Because African Americans are less likely to have health insurance and generally have lower socioeconomic status than Caucasians,5,7 many have theorized that insurance and socioeconomic status are determining factors regarding the significant racial disparity among kidney transplantation referrals. However, there is no evidence that inadequate black insurance coverage is responsible for the grossly disproportionate rates of transplantation referrals because this significant disparity exists even after controlling for socioeconomic and insurance status.4,8 There may be medical factors explaining lower transplantation rates for black patients with ESRD because African Americans wait longer for a kidney transplant than white patients.6 However, an extensive literature search was unable to show evidence linking a longer wait time for a kidney transplant to less interest or evaluation for such among black patients with ESRD. Fewer organ donations among blacks may be caused by the third explanation offered to date regarding the incongruity of kidney transplantation referrals in black patients: patient preference and distrust of the medical community. Black patients have been found to be more likely than white patients to have religious objections or problems with the concept of cadaveric transplantation.5 However, a literature review failed to find evidence that religious objection is linked to a majority of black disinterest in transplantation and also failed to locate a religious doctrine against transplantation. When studying reasons for African Americans refusal of organ donation, religious myths and misperceptions, distrust of the medical community, and racism have been among the reasons for refusal.9,10 However, there is yet to be evidence linking this distrust to less interest in obtaining a kidney transplant.

Social network characteristics in fibromyalgia or rheumatcid arthritis

To describe trends in the personal social network characteristics of the fibromyalgia patients compared with the network of patients with another chronic disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A structured interview was applied to 10 fibromyalgia patients and 10 matched RA patients. The networks of the 10 fibromyalgia and 10 RA patients were comparable in most respects, namely: the small number of intimate friends, the reliance for support on the spouse and the physician, and the relative lack of new social contacts. Furthermore, the fibromyalgia networks were closed networks within a small geographic area. These networks lacked initiative to establish and maintain relations, and can hardly fulfill the patients' psychosocial needs. Based on small numbers, the study provides some evidence that social networks of patients with fibromyalgia are more restricted than those of RA patients. Further studies should include larger numbers of patients to clarify cause and effect relationships and to suggest new directions in the treatment of chronic disorders such as fibromyalgia.