PEER CONNECT: peer coaching for long term conditions

Other measures (1)

Background and study aims NHS England estimates that 25-40% of patients have poor knowledge of their health condition(s) and poor skills and confidence to manage their health and well-being. People with less confidence and skills to manage their health condition (termed here low activation) are more likely to have unmet health needs and require emergency care. Receiving focused support from someone managing their health and well-being well (peer coaching) may help. Torbay Medical Research Fund is funding a study to see how easy it is to set up and evaluate a volunteer peer coaching service for people from rheumatology, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis clinics at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. People reporting high levels of knowledge, skills, and confidence (high activation) are providing the coaching. These volunteers will take part in a coaching training programme and be supervised through monthly group and individual sessions with coach coordinators. Volunteers will coach interested people over six months in the form of short conversations lasting 15 minutes to an hour. Coaching will be provided in a Covid-19 secure environment either online via MS teams, by telephone, or face-to-face. Who can participate? People attending pain, rheumatology, or multiple sclerosis clinics at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust who meet the above inclusion criteria to either be a coach or receive coaching. What does the study involve? People eligible and wanting to be coached (referred to as peers) will be allocated (using a process similar to tossing a coin) to receive either peer coaching and usual care, or usual care only. At the beginning of the study, after six months and again three months later peers will be asked to complete a range of health and well-being questionnaires. Peers, coaches, staff, and study decliners will be interviewed about their experiences. After the nine months, people receiving only usual care will be offered coaching. Findings from the study will enable the researchers to decide whether or not a larger trial of a volunteer peer coaching service is possible and how best to do it. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Coaches Benefits- It is possible that training to be a coach and talking about experiences of coaching will enhance a coach's own knowledge, skills or confidence for managing their health and they may experience other positive benefits from contributing to research and service development processes. Risks- it is possible that discussing experiences of coaching may cause emotional distress. If this does occur we will ensure the coach has the opportunity to discuss their experiences further with someone from the peer coaching service. Peers Benefits- it is hoped that taking part in the coaching will enhance knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage their health more effectively. Risks-it is possible that interpersonal issues may arise between peers and their coaches. Should this occur both parties will be encouraged to report such issues to the coaching coordinator and alternative coaching arrangements will be made. It is possible that coaches may offer inaccurate advice which could be detrimental to how someone manages their condition. To try and ensure this does not happen, coaches will be trained to recognise boundaries to their role and limitations of their own knowledge. Any uncertainties will be addressed through regular supervisory meetings with the coordinator. To ensure the safety of peers and coaches, the coach training will include elements of safeguarding, data protection, and study reporting procedures. In addition, all coaches will have completed a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check prior to working with peers. Where is the study run from? University of Plymouth and Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? April 2021 to August 2023 Who is funding the study? Torbay Medical Research Fund (UK) Who is the main contact? Dr Agne Straukiene, agne.straukiene@nhs.net Rachel Dennett, rachel.dennett@plymouth.ac.uk