Peer Mentors for People with Advanced Cancer: Lessons Learnt from Recruiting and Training Peer Mentors for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Peer mentors may offer distinctive forms of support to people with advanced cancer. Whilst peer mentor programmes are known, little is understood about recruiting and training peer mentors to support those with advanced cancer. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of recruiting and training peer mentors for a novel peer mentor intervention to promote well-being in people with advanced cancer. Feasibility study testing proactive introduction to a trained peer mentor for 12 weeks in the context of a randomized controlled two-arm trial and nested qualitative process evaluation was used. Peer mentors have/had cancer, recruited via an open call. Two-day training included a new bespoke module on coping with cancer. Descriptive recruitment and training data were captured, supplemented by qualitative interviews, analysed thematically. Forty-eight people expressed interest, mostly female (69%), with breast cancer (32%), and recruited via social media (49%). Twelve people completed training, with attrition often due to availability or mentors' own health; many had advanced cancer themselves. They wanted to 'give something back', but also formed supportive bonds with fellow mentors. It is feasible to recruit and train people with lived experience of cancer to be peer mentors, but those with particular characteristics may predominate. Broad social media based recruitment may have merit in widening the pool of potential peer mentors.

Peer mentorship to improve self-management of hip and knee osteoarthritis: a randomised feasibility trial

“…This was not possible due to varying peer mentor availability and staggering of the mentor recruitment. A similar issue was noted in a study of peer mentorship for people with advanced cancer 54 and would need accounting for in a future RCT.…”

Peer support to maintain psychological wellbeing in people with advanced cancer: findings from a feasibility study for a randomised controlled trial

“…A tighter geographical location would need to be considered in any future studies, as geography proved the main factor in matching peer mentors and patients due to our wide catchment area. Peer mentor recruitment and training was unproblematic, and patients and mentors reinforced the importance of 'getting on' with each other rather than being matched on a narrower range of criteria [25].…”

“…Final written informed consent was taken on completion of the training and receipt of Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Further information on their recruitment, training and flow through the study is provided in a partner publication [25].…”

Exploring the feasibility, acceptability and value of volunteer peer mentors in supporting self-management of osteoarthritis: a qualitative evaluation

“…Peer mentorship is a self-management model focusing on oneto-one, person-centred support. Models of peer mentorship have been explored for long-term conditions such as cancer, diabetes and chronic low back pain (CLBP) [25][26][27][28][29]. Models which are individualised and responsive to target group needs, indicate improvements to quality of life, coping-efficacy, and sense of agency amongst mentees [20,30,31].…”

“…Previous research suggests that there are key elements that enhance the success of self-management in peer mentorship interventions [23,[36][37][38]. Walshe et al describe recruitment and training of peer mentors with advanced cancer as "critically important to the planned intervention" [25]. Understanding the mechanisms of recruitment, the motivation of volunteers and potential attrition are essential foundations for subsequent training and intervention delivery.…”