Inflammatory arthritis (IA) is a major cause of long-term disability. Peer support may be a solution to the common problem of delayed treatment. Early peer support may result in improved use of therapy, higher self-efficacy, reduced anxiety, and improved coping in the first two years post-diagnosis. This study involves the development and testing of a peer mentor training initiative as one part of an intervention study for people with early IA (EIA). Peer mentors will be trained and assessed to provide one-on-one support (information, emotional, feedback) to individuals who have recently been diagnosed with IA. This is one part of an intervention study. The other part is called Peer to Peer Mentoring: Facilitating Individuals with Early Inflammatory Arthritis to Manage their Arthritis - Peer Mentoring Program.

Inclusion Criteria:

• To become a peer mentor are:

  1. Diagnosis of IA from a physician
  2. Disease duration more than 2 years and managing well
  3. Currently using medications (DMARDS/biologics) to treat arthritis
  4. Have completed an Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP) provided by The Arthritis Society and/or similar program and/or have sufficient knowledge and experience with teaching or providing mentoring support to an individual living with a chronic disease
  5. Able to participate in two approximately 5-hour training workshops
  6. Able to take part in ongoing assessment/evaluation activities (self-report questionnaire, interviews, observation, study activity log)
  7. Able to commit to the duration of the research study
  8. Willing to provide ongoing one-on-one support to an individual newly diagnosed with IA
  9. 18 years of age or older
  10. Able to speak, understand, read and write English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Do not meet inclusion criteria