Exploring peer-mentoring for community dwelling older adults with chronic low back pain: a qualitative study.
Kay Cooper, Patricia Schofield, Susan Klein and 2 others
PMID 27613081WHAT IT FOUND
Older adults with chronic low back pain, physiotherapists and potential peer mentors described peer mentoring as potentially helpful after discharge from physiotherapy, especially through empathy, but wanted flexible matching, training and monitoring.
Key findings
01Most older adults were positive about peer-mentoring's potential benefits, but two said it would not have helped them personally.
02Empathy was seen by many as the most important dimension, more important than practical advice or support.
03Matching was seen as an important practical aspect, and common interests were considered more important than age or gender.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Most participants were female, and the study was conducted in a single region of the UK, so views may not represent other populations. Convenience sampling and low recruitment from physiotherapy departments may have narrowed the range of views. No member checking of transcripts or analysis was done. The study explored perceptions of peer-mentoring, not its effectiveness.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that peer-mentoring reduces pain or improves self-management. This study asked people what they thought about the idea; it did not test an intervention or measure outcomes.