A mixed method study of a peer support intervention for newly diagnosed primary brain tumour patients

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the impact of an intervention designed to enhance quality of life in newly diagnosed primary brain tumour (PBT) patients. The intervention involved a structured, one time meeting between newly diagnosed PBT patients and trained volunteer "veteran" PBT patients. Methods: Two volunteers met for a single, one-on-one meeting with a total of 10 newly diagnosed PBT patients. A combination of questionnaires and interviews were used to investigate the impact of the intervention for both the new patients and the volunteers. Results: The intervention appeared to be of substantial value for both groups of participants. Analysis revealed that the newly diagnosed patients experienced a range of benefits, including those related to the themes of: increased hope, valued guidance, hearing what it's really like, overcoming aloneness, and receiving a wake up call to what matters. Only relatively minor adverse effects and challenges were reported. Conclusions: The findings provide initial evidence that the developed intervention has the potential to be a safe, useful means of enhancing psycho-social well-being in newly diagnosed PBT patients. Further investigation into the potential of one-to-one, peer support for brain tumour patients is an important research priority.

Evaluation of centers for information and support combining formal and informal care for patients with cancer: a systematic review of the literature

“…This in turn might be complicated, and to date, no comparison between different centers has been undertaken. However, it is worth noting that studies focusing on the effectiveness of experimental interventions showed promising results in terms of informational needs [47,48], reduced stress, increased hope, and overcoming loneliness [47][48][49][50] in patients with cancer. For example, Schofield [51] compared an intervention, in which formal and informal cares were combined, to care as usual in women with gynecological cancers receiving curative radiotherapy.…”

Effect of a brief physical activity-based presentation by a former patient for men treated with radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer: a mixed methods pilot study

“…The most similar intervention the authors found was the subject of a 2016 mixed methods study by Ozier and Cashman, investigating a single one-to-one meeting between newly diagnosed brain tumour patients and a former brain tumour patient [ 26 ]. Qualitative themes from that study described their intervention as providing a sense of hope, alleviation of loneliness and appreciation of an authoritative source.…”