Peer Connect for African American breast cancer survivors and caregivers: a train-the-trainer approach for peer support

AbstractRacial disparities in breast cancer survivorship are a major concern nationally. How survivors cope with cancer and re-frame their lives is a critical part of survivorship. Community-academic research partnerships may facilitate access to much-needed psychosocial support for African American survivors and caregivers in rural areas, but drivers of successful intervention implementation are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to describe the training and evaluation of Community Coaches and Guides (i.e., peer supporters) using thePeer Connect program for African American breast cancer survivors and caregivers. Community engagement strategies were used to implement the training component ofPeer Connect, an evidence-based program grounded in the Diffusion of Innovation Theory utilizing motivational interviewing techniques (MI) and a “train-the-trainer” model. Quantitative and qualitative methods examined implementation outcomes of feasibility, MI fidelity, and acceptability—precursor outcomes that must be achieved before examining intervention impact vis-à-vis changes in support care. Training was feasible to implement a nd replicable by the trained Community Coaches. Beyond feasibility and replicability, success was modest regarding MI fidelity. Benefits (e.g., serving as role models and having safe sources of support) and lessons learned (e.g., need for additional quality control) were identified as both facilitat ors and barriers to implementation ...
Source: Translational Behavioral Medicine - Category: Global & Universal Source Type: research