Online peer support mentorship for teens with heart failure

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The iPeer2Peer (iP2P) program is designed to provide online peer support mentorship for adolescents aged 12-17 with heart failure. This pilot randomized controlled trial will pair trained young adult mentors (ages 18-25) with mentees to foster disease self-management skills through video calls and text messaging over a 15-week period. The program aims to enhance adherence to treatment and improve overall health outcomes by leveraging the shared experiences of peers. Data will be collected at three time points to assess the effectiveness of the mentorship.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Mentee inclusion criteria:

1. patient with a cardiac diagnosis,
2. at least 4 months post-diagnosis,
3. between the ages of 12 and 17 years,
4. able to speak and read English, and
5. willingness to commit to 5-10 texts and/or calls of 20-30 minutes each with a peer mentor over a period of 15 weeks.

Mentor inclusion criteria:

1. patient with a cardiac diagnosis,
2. between the ages of 18 and 30 years,
3. able to speak and read English,
4. nominated by a member of their health care team as a good mentor based on maturity and emotional stability,
5. willingness to commit to peer mentor training (20 hours) via the PHIPA-compliant version of Zoom or Microsoft Teams and mentoring adolescent participants (once paired with mentee, 5-10 texts and/or calls of 20-30 minutes over a period of 15 weeks),
6. good communication skills (as assessed by a healthcare provider), and
7. previous experience in a professional environment (e.g., as a camp counsellor, part time job, volunteering) is an asset.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. significant cognitive impairments as assessed by a qualified healthcare provider,
2. a diagnosis of an active psychological disorder (e.g., Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder) likely to influence assessment of health-related quality of life and/or interfere with their ability to manage their heart failure care regimen (a diagnosis of an active psychological disorder will be determined for mentees through medical chart review and self-reported by mentors), and
3. participating in other peer support or self-management interventions.

Where it's running

• The Hospital for Sick Children
  Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Samantha J Anthony, PhD — The Hospital for Sick Children
• Study coordinator: Samantha J Anthony, PhD
• Email: samantha.anthony@sickkids.ca
• Phone: 416-813-7654

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.