The Quality of Life Perception Gap in Prison Health Care Settings

Peer caregivers are specially-trained incarcerated persons who support the needs of patients in correctional health care settings. Their role is of particular importance in light of the growing population of older adult prisoners with complex health problems in U.S. prisons. The purpose of the current study was to examine the disparity between patient and peer caregiver ratings of patient quality of life in a sample of correctional health dyads (n = 52) in a state prison system. Though disparities emerged, peer caregivers in correctional health settings have unique strengths regarding assessment of patient quality of life.