This study examines effectiveness of peer support of breast cancer patients. Half of the participants received peer support via telephone in addition to usual care and another half are give the usual care only.
Seriously sick people need social support to maintain their quality of life. Social support may be given by peers, who have experienced the same. In this study voluntary participants with recently diagnosed breast cancer were randomly allocated to intervention (N=130) or control (N=130) group. The intervention group received, in addition to usual care, peer support via telephone 1-5 times according to their own preference. The control group received usual care only. Peer support was given by volunteered breast cancer survivors who were educated for giving peer support.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
260
Peer support persons are breast cancer survivors, who were educated to give peer support. They contacted participants by telephone.
Helsinki University Hospital
Helsinki, Finland
A change of health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
HRQoL was assessed with a generic 15D instrument.
Time frame: From baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months later.
A change of health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
HRQoL was assessed with a disease-specific instrument EORTC QLQ-30 and its breast cancer specific module BR23.
Time frame: From baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months later.
Satisfaction for life
Satisfaction for life was assessed with a questionnaire created for this study.
Time frame: Baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months later.
The use of health care services
The use of health care services was assessed with a questionnaire create for this study.
Time frame: Baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months later.
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