The Healing Circles Project

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death and disability in Canada costing $22.2 billion annually in health care costs and lost productivity. Cardiovascular diseases are complex conditions that afflict older adults more so than any other population. As CVD is a chronic condition, many patients live with their disease and are affected by it on a daily basis in their homes and communities. Unfortunately, many patients 'suffer' in isolation. It is well-accepted that patient self-management plays a key role in improving patient health and reducing hospital admissions. Social and peer support, as well as timely access to credible information on managing CVD are essential for patient self-management.

While there is a growing understanding that patients with CVD benefit from being actively engaged in their own care, questions remain as to where and how self management support should be delivered. Integration of self-management programs within the health care system has been a challenge due to the system emphasis on the management of acute and episodic conditions rather than the less intense and more drawn-out patient interactions characteristic of chronic conditions. Clearly alternatives are needed to support patient self-management and reduce needless hospital admissions.

The rise in technology and telecommunications has opened up an array of possibilities for patients to be connected to their health while remaining in their homes and community. Outside of the health care sector, peer support and social networking have seen tremendous growth through the use of telecommunications. The value of these networks to improving health and self-management, however, has not been robustly studied.

Through an existing partnership between university-based researchers, industry (Curatio), decision-makers (Vancouver Coastal Health), clinicians and patients the investigators have developed a peer support and self-management platform called Healing Circles. The investigator's 10-week pilot study of Healing Circles in patients with ischemic heart disease demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability, and resulted in key improvements to social support and self-management, as well as demonstrated ease of use of the application itself. The current proposal represents the next phase in our program to scale-up and spread the use of Healing Circles.

The primary hypothesis is that patients with CVD using the Healing Circles platform will have improved self-management skills compared to patients receiving usual care. Secondary hypotheses are that participation in Healing Circles application will improve quality of life and health service use (and associated costs). Outcomes of end-user perceptions, attitudes and satisfaction with the platform will also be assessed.

Participants (n=250) will be recruited through cardiology and cardiac outpatient clinics in Greater Vancouver, as well as through community presentations and mailouts. Patients with documented CVD, who have regular access to a device that supports Healing Circles (computer, tablet or smartphone) will be randomized to either the Healing Circles application or usual care and followed for up to a 2.5 year period.

Healing Circles participants will form 'Circles' with 8 to 10 other participants to connect with and support one another as they learn to live day-to-day with their CVD. Patients also have the ability to connect and engage all members of the wider Healing Circles community. The investigators anticipate that participation in Healing Circles will support patient self-management for patients in their homes resulting in reduced need for health care and hospital use.