Peer support opportunities across the cancer care continuum: a systematic scoping review of recent peer-reviewed literature

Abstract

Objective: Evidence suggests peer support (PS) is as an effective strategy for enhancing prevention and control of chronic and infectious diseases, including cancer. This systematic scoping review examines the range and variety of interventions on the use of PS across the cancer care continuum. Method: We used a broad definition of PS to capture a wide-range of interventions and characterize the current status of the field. Literature searches were conducted using PubMed, SCOPUS, and CINAHL to identify relevant articles published from January 2011 – June 2016. We screened the title and abstracts of 2087 articles, followed by full-text screening of 420 articles, resulting in a final sample of 242 articles of which the most recent 100 articles were reviewed (published June 2014 – May 2016). Results: A number of the recent intervention studies focused on breast cancer (32%, breast cancer only) or multiple cancer sites (23%). Although the interventions spanned all phases of the cancer care continuum, only 2% targeted end-of-life care. Seventy-six percent focused on clinical outcomes (e.g., screening, treatment adherence) and 72% on reducing health disparities. Interventions were primarily phone-based (44%) or delivered in a clinic setting (44%). Only a few studies (22%) described the impact of providing PS on peer supporters. Conclusion: PS appears to be a widely used approach to address needs across the cancer care continuum, with many opportunities to expand its reach.

Acceptability and Appropriateness of a Novel Parent-Staff Co-Leadership Model for Childhood Obesity Prevention in Head Start: A Qualitative Interview Study

“…Third, similar to what has been seen among peer leaders elsewhere [10][11][12][13][14]18,21,40], PConnect facilitators found their ability to make an impact on participants highly gratifying. At the same time, as has also been reported among peer leaders elsewhere [18,40], facilitators were frustrated when they felt their impacts were limited.…”

“…As such, the scope of work, training, and ongoing support for peer leaders must be appropriate for their role and community context [2,4,18,19]. Currently, little is known about how these roles and contexts shape the experiences of peer leaders, as the vast majority of peer leadership evaluations have focused on intervention recipients rather than on the peer leaders [20][21][22]. For example, a recent systematic review of peer support programs in cancer care found only 4% of programs focused on program impacts on the peer leaders [21].…”

“…Currently, little is known about how these roles and contexts shape the experiences of peer leaders, as the vast majority of peer leadership evaluations have focused on intervention recipients rather than on the peer leaders [20][21][22]. For example, a recent systematic review of peer support programs in cancer care found only 4% of programs focused on program impacts on the peer leaders [21]. Given current efforts to increase the scale of peer leadership models and sustain them in diverse settings, it is critical to understand the experiences of peer leaders and identify the contexts in which they are most successful [18,19].…”

“…Strengths, limitations, and future directions A major strength of the current study is that it helps to address the critical need for more work focused on peer leaders' experiences to inform implementation of peer leadership in diverse settings [20][21][22].…”

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

“…Studies describe benefits and popularity of peer support to people with cancer [18,19]. However there are few robust trials, and no data that allow a determination of the best form of peer support for people with advanced cancer [8].…”