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      Peer-to-peer mentoring for individuals with early inflammatory arthritis: feasibility pilot

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          Abstract

          Objectives

          To examine the feasibility and potential benefits of early peer support to improve the health and quality of life of individuals with early inflammatory arthritis (EIA).

          Design

          Feasibility study using the 2008 Medical Research Council framework as a theoretical basis. A literature review, environmental scan, and interviews with patients, families and healthcare providers guided the development of peer mentor training sessions and a peer-to-peer mentoring programme. Peer mentors were trained and paired with a mentee to receive (face-to-face or telephone) support over 12 weeks.

          Setting

          Two academic teaching hospitals in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

          Participants

          Nine pairs consisting of one peer mentor and one mentee were matched based on factors such as age and work status.

          Primary outcome measure

          Mentee outcomes of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)/biological treatment use, self-efficacy, self-management, health-related quality of life, anxiety, coping efficacy, social support and disease activity were measured using validated tools. Descriptive statistics and effect sizes were calculated to determine clinically important (>0.3) changes. Peer mentor self-efficacy was assessed using a self-efficacy scale. Interviews conducted with participants examined acceptability and feasibility of procedures and outcome measures, as well as perspectives on the value of peer support for individuals with EIA. Themes were identified through constant comparison.

          Results

          Mentees experienced improvements in the overall arthritis impact on life, coping efficacy and social support (effect size >0.3). Mentees also perceived emotional, informational, appraisal and instrumental support. Mentors also reported benefits and learnt from mentees’ fortitude and self-management skills. The training was well received by mentors. Their self-efficacy increased significantly after training completion. Participants’ experience of peer support was informed by the unique relationship with their peer. All participants were unequivocal about the need for peer support for individuals with EIA.

          Conclusions

          The intervention was well received. Training, peer support programme and outcome measures were demonstrated to be feasible with modifications. Early peer support may augment current rheumatological care.

          Trial registration number

          NCT01054963, NCT01054131.

          Related collections

          Author and article information

          Journal
          BMJ Open
          BMJ Open
          bmjopen
          bmjopen
          BMJ Open
          BMJ Publishing Group (BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR )
          2044-6055
          2013
          1 March 2013
          : 3
          : 3
          : e002267
          Affiliations
          [1 ]Division of Rheumatology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre , Toronto, Canada
          [2 ]Ontario Division, The Arthritis Society , Toronto, Canada
          [3 ]Mobility Program Clinical Research Unit, St. Michael's Hospital , Toronto, Canada
          [4 ]Department of Health Policy, University of Toronto , Toronto, Canada
          [5 ]University of Toronto , Toronto, Canada
          [6 ]Canadian Arthritis Network Consumer Advisory Council , Toronto, Canada
          Author notes
          [Correspondence to ] Dr Mary J Bell; mary.bell@ 123456sunnybrook.ca
          Article
          bmjopen-2012-002267
          10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002267
          3612764
          23457326
          1b932ce7-a738-441f-9419-50b860c78179
          Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions

          this is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the creative commons attribution non-commercial license, which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non commercial and is otherwise in compliance with the license. see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/ and http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/legalcode.

          History
          : 25 October 2012
          : 9 January 2013
          : 10 January 2013
          Categories
          Rheumatology
          Research
          1506
          1732
          1704

          Medicine
          arthritis,early inflammatory arthritis,health services research,rheumatoid arthritis
          Medicine
          arthritis, early inflammatory arthritis, health services research, rheumatoid arthritis

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