Embracing virtual connection: An innovative systemwide approach to support groups

Background: Following a statewide stay-at-home order, Centura Stroke Support Group meetings were postponed indefinitely due to our high-risk patient population Throughout the organization, stroke coordinators and support group leaders recognized the importance of community and continued support for the stroke population The objective was to develop a creative survivor & caregiver support offering following social distancing guidelines given the Covid-19 restrictions, while collaborating & expanding opportunities for stroke support across the Centura system Purpose: We hypothesized that we could successfully support stroke survivors & caregivers through a virtual platform during the pandemic & improve accessibility regardless of participant location or transportation Methods: Group leaders assessed stroke survivors & caregivers ongoing needs through weekly outreach identifying the importance of the support group and a need for continued group access during the Covid-19 pandemic Attendee's indicated an interest in virtual support & a willingness to learn the required virtual platform Leaders collaborated across the system to organize efforts in reaching survivors & caregivers at each hospital while sharing group curriculum & education systemwide;thus, allowing groups to meet at different times and increasing overall accessibility Facilitators worked with individuals to problem solve potential issues navigating a virtual format Results: The virtual format successfully provided support from the comfort & safety of home Attendance increased in comparison to an in-person format When asked about preference for an in-person setting only vs a combination of in-person & virtual format, 80% selected a combination format Working together across the system, stroke coordinators & group facilitators benefitted from a broader range of resources and connected the greater stroke community across Colorado Conclusion: Regardless of future restrictions, hospitals should consider virtual support groups to increase accessibility for survivors & caregivers There are benefits of the virtual platform which expand access to support by reducing barriers such as community availability and transportation