Exploring peer-mentoring for community dwelling older adults with chronic low back pain: a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the perceptions of patients, physiotherapists, and potential peer mentors on the topic of peer-mentoring for self-management of chronic low back pain following discharge from physiotherapy.


METHODS
Exploratory, qualitative study.


METHODS
Twelve patients, 11 potential peer mentors and 13 physiotherapists recruited from physiotherapy departments and community locations in one health board area of the UK.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews and focus groups.


METHODS
Participants' perceptions of the usefulness and appropriateness of peer-mentoring following discharge from physiotherapy. Data were processed and analysed using the framework method.


RESULTS
Four key themes were identified: (i) self-management strategies, (ii) barriers to self-management and peer-mentoring, (iii) vision of peer-mentoring, and (iv) the voice of experience. Peer-mentoring may be beneficial for some older adults with chronic low back pain. Barriers to peer-mentoring were identified, and many solutions for overcoming them. No single format was identified as superior; participants emphasised the need for any intervention to be flexible and individualised. Important aspects to consider in developing a peer-mentoring intervention are recruitment and training of peer mentors and monitoring the mentor-mentee relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has generated important knowledge that is being used to design and test a peer-mentoring intervention on a group of older people with chronic low back pain and volunteer peer mentors. If successful, peer-mentoring could provide a cost effective method of facilitating longer-term self-management of a significant health condition in older people.
Robert Gordon University, School of Health Sciences, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen AB10 7QG, UK. Electronic address: k.cooper@rgu.ac.uk.
Kay
K
Cooper
Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK. Electronic address: patricia.schofield@anglia.ac.uk.
Patricia
P
Schofield
Robert Gordon University, Faculty of Health & Social Care, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen AB10 7QG, UK. Electronic address: s.klein@rgu.ac.uk.
Susan
S
Klein
University of Dundee Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, The Mackenzie Building, Kirsty Semple Way, Dundee DD2 4DB, UK. Electronic address: b.h.smith@dundee.ac.uk.
Blair H
BH
Smith
Robert Gordon University, School of Health Sciences, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen AB10 7QG, UK. Electronic address: l.m.jehu@rgu.ac.uk.
Llinos M
LM
Jehu
D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D000071252:Mentoring / Q000379:methods*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D000073278:Self-Management / Q000379:methods*; D012944:Social Support
Chronic low back pain; Older adults; Peer-mentoring; Peer-support; Self-management