Understanding peer mentorship programs delivered by Canadian SCI community-based organizations: perspectives on mentors and organizational considerations

Sweet, Shane N; Hennig, Lauren; Pastore, Olivia; Hawley, Stephanie; Clarke, Teren Y; Flaro, Haley; Schaefer, Lee; Gainforth, Heather L.

doi:10.1038/s41393-021-00721-6

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…However, more research is needed to understand if certain matching approaches have a significant influence on the relationship (does matching matter) and how it can affect the impacts of mentorship (how matching matters; Shaw et al, 2021). SCI mentors and community-based organizations need to take into consideration individuals' different situations and determine appropriate timing to introduce peer mentorship (Sweet, Hennig, Pastore, et al, 2021), particularly in a rehabilitation setting. For example, mentors may give quick informal greetings/check-ins and be present in common space without inquiring so that mentees can build comfort around mentors (Duque et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of importance, this mentee-focused approach equates to not forcing mentorship on rehabilitation patients, especially when they are not ready or interested in interacting with a peer mentor. Mentees’ readiness to be mentored is a critical consideration for the mentorship process (Sweet, Hennig, Pastore, et al, 2021). Past literature has highlighted that people who have a new SCI might be managing the new realities and facets of living with a disability such as psychological impacts, lack of financial support, and social disconnection (Barclay et al, 2016; Shi et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Creative nonfiction approach to explore peer mentorship for individuals with spinal cord injury.

Shi,

Caron,

Comeau

et al. 2024

Rehabilitation Psychology

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Purpose: Research has examined peer mentorship to understand how it may help people with spinal cord injury (SCI) adapt and thrive. We still lack an in-depth understanding of the perspectives of SCI peer mentors and mentees on their dyadic relationship. This study was to explore the dyadic interactions and relationships between SCI peer mentors and mentees in a peer mentorship program delivered at a rehabilitation center. Research Method: Between 2016 and 2017, we recruited two dyads of peer mentor and mentee with SCI (N = 4). Each participant completed three one-on-one interviews (N = 12). Data were analyzed using a creative nonfiction approach. Results: Three unique dialogical stories were developed. Story 1 (A slow and steady start) described how mentors took a mentee-centered approach in building the relationship. Story 2 (Mentorship and friendship: negotiating the "grey zone") highlighted how mentees and mentors experienced challenges in navigating the boundaries between mentorship and friendship. Story 3 (The "endless" job for mentor) showcased how the relationship could enter a phase in which it could affect mentors' well-being. Conclusions: The stories highlighted important attributes to the relationships between SCI mentors and mentees. Considerations were suggested for community-based SCI organizations to integrate peer mentorship into rehabilitation settings, including optimizing mentorship introductions and matching, defining mentors' role explicitly, and building support systems for mentors. Impact and ImplicationsThe creative nonfiction stories in this study provided insights into some of the nuances of SCI peer mentorship relationships that are only broadly mentioned in past studies, including mentorship introduction, friendship-mentorship boundaries, and burdens on mentors. To develop and/or optimize SCI peer mentorship programs within rehabilitation, community-based organizations and rehabilitation institutions can consider an informal approach to facilitate mentor-mentee connections, while clearly defining roles and responsibilities for mentors. Because mentors may maintain contacts with mentees beyond rehabilitation settings, organizers of peer mentorship programs need to build support systems to ensure mentors can manage the extra demand.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Creative nonfiction approach to explore peer mentorship for individuals with spinal cord injury.

Shi,

Caron,

Comeau

et al. 2024

Rehabilitation Psychology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Although establishing and maintaining professional boundaries is often challenging in healthcare practice ( 38 , 40 ), the roles of peer mentors and health professionals appeared to be well defined by the formal agreement within the current peer mentorship program. Clear boundaries can ensure the quality of mentor-mentee relationships and mentors' well-being in a long term ( 6 , 41 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Delivering peer mentorship programs in rehabilitation settings often relies on collaborations between community-based SCI organizations and rehabilitation institutions ( 6 ). Peer mentorship literature has mostly gathered insights from mentors, mentees, family members, and community organizational staff to understand characteristics and outcomes of peer mentorship programs ( 5 , 7 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delivery of a community-based peer mentorship program for people with spinal cord injury at a rehabilitation center

Shi,

Comeau,

Bloom

et al. 2023

Front. Rehabil. Sci.

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IntroductionCommunity-based spinal cord injury (SCI) organizations deliver peer mentorship programs in rehabilitation settings. Little is known on how these programs are delivered through the collaboration between community-based SCI organizations and rehabilitation institutions. This study aimed to identify barriers, facilitators, and collaboration processes within a SCI peer mentorship program provided by a community-based organization at a rehabilitation center.MethodsA qualitative case study design was applied. Seven participants were recruited, including two mentees, two mentors, one program director of the community-based SCI organization, and two healthcare professionals of the rehabilitation center. Each participant completed a one-on-one interview. Data were analyzed inductively and deductively based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).ResultsTen factors were identified to influence the delivery of the peer mentorship program, including nine CFIR constructs. Successful delivery of the program required strong, collaborative inter-professional relationships between health professionals and community organizational staff (e.g., peer mentors) as facilitators; whereas potential cost, minimal patient needs, and limited mentor resources were found to be barriers. Engaging health professionals by initiating communications, reflecting and evaluating the program collectively with health professionals were important collaboration processes for the community-based organization to maintain effective partnership with the rehabilitation center.DiscussionThe collaboration processes and strategies to addressing/leveraging the barriers and facilitators may inform evidence-based practice to establish and optimize the delivery of SCI peer mentorship programs in various rehabilitation settings.

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“…PA counseling support services are provided in a variety of settings (e.g. rehabilitation centers or hospitals [ 7 , 8 ], community organizations [ 9 ], fitness centers/gyms [ 9 ], SCI peer mentorship programs [ 10 ], research studies [ 11 ]) and delivered by counselors with different backgrounds and expertise (e.g. SCI peer mentors, physiotherapists, recreation therapists, coaches) [ 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Theory- and evidence-based best practices for physical activity counseling for adults with spinal cord injury

Hoekstra

Gainforth

Broeksteeg

et al. 2023

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine

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Objectives This project used a systematic and integrated knowledge translation (IKT) approach to co-create theory- and evidence-based best practices for physical activity counseling for adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Guided by the IKT Guiding Principles, we meaningfully engaged research users throughout this project. A systematic approach was used. An international, multidisciplinary expert panel ( n = 15), including SCI researchers, counselors, and people with SCI, was established. Panel members participated in two online meetings to discuss the best practices by drawing upon new knowledge regarding counselor-client interactions, current evidence, and members’ own experiences. We used concepts from key literature on SCI-specific physical activity counseling and health behavior change theories. An external group of experts completed an online survey to test the clarity, usability and appropriateness of the best practices. Results The best practices document includes an introduction, the best practices, things to keep in mind, and a glossary. Best practices focused on how to deliver a conversation and what to discuss during a conversation. Examples include: build rapport, use a client-centred approach following the spirit of motivational interviewing, understand your client’s physical activity barriers, and share the SCI physical activity guidelines. External experts ( n = 25) rated the best practices on average as clear, useful, and appropriate. Conclusion We present the first systematically co-developed theory- and evidence-based best practices for SCI physical activity counseling. The implementation of the best practices will be supported by developing training modules. These new best practices can contribute to optimizing SCI physical activity counseling services across settings.

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Understanding peer mentorship programs delivered by Canadian SCI community-based organizations: perspectives on mentors and organizational considerations

Cited by 5 publications

References 22 publications

Creative nonfiction approach to explore peer mentorship for individuals with spinal cord injury.

Creative nonfiction approach to explore peer mentorship for individuals with spinal cord injury.

Delivery of a community-based peer mentorship program for people with spinal cord injury at a rehabilitation center

Theory- and evidence-based best practices for physical activity counseling for adults with spinal cord injury

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