An Integrated Volunteer Programme

The MHI'S volunteer programme for cardiac patients was implemented following the publication of results from a Master's study in nursing sciences.

The objective of the 1994 study was to evaluate the efficiency of support intervention for hospitalized patients, provided by patients who had themselves previously undergone cardiac surgery. This support was integrated into the MHI'S health care practices in January 1995. 

Programme Mission

The mission of the programme is to create conditions that will help hospitalized patients and their families deal with the anxiety inherent to cardiac surgery.

Programme Goals
 
The volunteer programme has the following specific goals:

• Helping hospitalized patients and their families adapt to the anxiety inherent to cardiac surgery
• Helping patients resume physical activity during convalescence
• Establishing a climate of mutual assistance among the patients

The programme is coordinated by a volunteer nurse who is responsible for recruiting and training volunteers, supervising and evaluating volunteers on the job and ensuring continuous training.