title: Toward structured peer support interventions in oncology: a qualitative insight into the experiences of gynaecological cancer survivors providing peer support.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research into dyadic (one-to-one) peer support has predominantly focused on the recipients of peer support whilst neglecting the impact on the peer support providers (PSPs). Increasingly, structured/protocolised peer support interventions are employed. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of providing peer support within a protocolised intervention and how common key characteristics of such interventions (guidelines and checklists, rigorous training and partnerships with health professionals) may influence PSPs' experiences. This research was conducted within the context of an ongoing randomised controlled trial investigating a protocolised peer support intervention (the Peer and Nurse support Trial to Assist women in Gynaecological Oncology (PeNTAGOn) study).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven women (gynaecological cancer survivors) providing peer support within the PeNTAGOn study participated in semi-structured telephone interviews. Transcribed interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five key themes were identified which described the overall experience of providing protocolised peer support: (i) fitting oneself to the protocolised PSP role, (ii) the impact of personal beliefs about the value of research, (iii) protocolisation as both blessing and curse, (iv) discussing taboo or sensitive topics and (v) the impact of interactions with study personnel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These insights into the advantages and disadvantages of protocolised peer support can be used to inform future research and social support programs and maximise the effectiveness of such programs for patients, PSPs and the health-care system.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Brennan MacCallum Building (A18), Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Huntingdon
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.|Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.|Department of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia.
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schofield
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Zahava
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wolfowicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bergin
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kabel
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Edmunds
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Penberthy
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Brennan MacCallum Building (A18), Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. ilona.juraskova@sydney.edu.au.|Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. ilona.juraskova@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Juraskova
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D017741:Survivors
keywords: Cancer; Interventions; Oncology; Peer support providers; Qualitative research