Orthopaedic patients find relief with peer support program
[This article taken from a feature in ALCOA'S (Active Living Coalition for Older Adults) Summer, 2011 Newsletter]

If you or a loved one has recently been faced with an upcoming orthopaedic surgery, you know all too well it is a time of stress, anxiety, fear and confusion.

Patients and their families face doubt and questions about upcoming surgical treatments. So where do they turn for guidance? Who can they depend on to offer a real world view of what to expect? In many cases, speaking with someone who has been through the same experience can provide needed support.

Orthopaedic patients have come to rely on and benefit from the power of communication delivered through the Ortho Connect peer support program. Operated by the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation, Ortho Connect volunteers help patients to feel confident and informed through providing an experienced, understanding ear and encouragement when waiting for surgery and throughout rehabilitation.

“Ortho Connect enables patients to learn, understand, and become comfortable with their upcoming surgery, and as surgeons, we see that people who take part in decisions about their health care are more likely to have better outcomes,” says Dr. James Waddell, orthopaedic surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, and board chair of the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation. “A live voice or online peer who understands just what you’re going through provides immeasurable comfort – and a personal view of what to expect and how to get ready for your return to mobility.”

Still have questions?

Read about other people's experiences, ask questions and find resources in your community. Register to gain access to online content here.

Talk to someone who has been there. If you’d like to access the Ortho Connect Phone Program, call the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation at 1-800-461-3639, or click here to complete an application form.

This website is produced free of charge by the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation, Canada’s charity dedicated to bone and joint health. It is through your kind generosity that we are able to update and maintain this site and the Ortho Connect Peer Support Program. Please give generously to help thousands of Canadians cope with and recover from their orthopaedic journey. Donate Now