Supporting individuals who have infective endocarditis and a history of injection drug use

The Second Heart Program provides interdisciplinary supports to individuals diagnosed with infective endocarditis and who have a history of injection drug use. The project is finished recruiting new participants and continues to support active participants while beginning data analysis and manuscript preparation. The intervention involves meeting participants in hospital and matching them with a peer support worker, systems navigator, and primary care doctor, if interested. Participants have regular contact with their peer support worker, meet as needed with the systems navigator, and receive follow-up care with cardiology, addictions medicine, and infectious disease specialists as needed. The team enrols participants, conducts surveys at baseline, 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month timepoints, interviews at 3- and 12-month timepoints, and provides support throughout the 1-year study period. Among the twenty-one total participants, there were reported improvements in their social connection, income, housing, and overall health.