Peer support for carers
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Peer support for carers of those with advanced cancer
IRAS ID
206091
Contact name
Anne Arber
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 28 days
Research summary
Improving patients’ and carers’ experience is a priority for healthcare both in the UK and internationally; information on patients’ and carers’ experiences informs many improvements in care. Carers of people with cancer (such as spouses and partners) face many challenges and have a great need for psychosocial support. One way that support can be offered is through peer support.
Peer support has developed as a community-based, low-cost approach to providing psychosocial care to people with cancer and their carers. Existing models of peer support are based on communication and empathy with others who have experienced cancer as a patient or carer.
The objective of this project is to involve people with advanced cancer and carers of people with advanced cancer, where there are many needs for carer support (e.g. lung cancer, mesothelioma and pancreatic cancer), in identifying whether a peer support programme would be considered suitable.
We will ask our participants to take part in focus group interviews to discuss their views, preferences and priorities about peer support for carers of people with advanced cancer. This feedback will help us shape the peer support model appropriate for the UK context in collaboration with its potential users. The approach that we are using is supported by NHS policy, where collaboration is a central principle that enables a range of service users and key stakeholders to work together, and together with researchers, be fully involved in devising and implementing changes in health care.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0218
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion