iParent2Parent Program for Parents of Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

"The Isolation I Feel is Profound": The iParent2Parent Online Peer Support Program for Parents of Pediatric Solid Organ Transplantation Recipients

The iParent2Parent (iP2P) program is a new, innovative virtual mentorship program that will connect parents one-to-one with other parents of pediatric solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients who are trained to offer vital peer support and mentorship. Parents of children who received a SOT at The Hospital for Sick Children will be invited to participate as mentors and mentees (randomized into the iP2P or control group). The iP2P program can decrease feelings of isolation, improve mental health and have a long-term positive impact on patient health. This research will increase our understanding of one-to-one peer support and leverage eHealth technologies to improve the access to and acceptability of parent peer support interventions.

Mentee Inclusion Criteria:

• Parent of a patient under 18 years of age who received a solid organ transplant and is at least two months post-transplant,
• Access to a device (e.g., smart phone, tablet, computer) capable of using free WhatsApp software, and
• English-speaking.

Mentor Inclusion Criteria:

• Parent of a patient under 21 years of age who received a solid organ transplant and is at least one year post-transplant,
• Nominated by their child's healthcare team as a good candidate to act in the mentor role (e.g., good communication skills, positive adaptation and adjustment post-transplant, strong support network),
• Access to a device (e.g., smart phone, tablet, computer) capable of using free WhatsApp software, and
• English-speaking.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-English speaking.