Peer Support Program for Improving Quality of Life Among Head and Neck Patients, Connecting Through Cancer Trial

Connecting Through Cancer: Feasibility of a Peer Support Program for Head and Neck Patients

This clinical trial tests whether a peer support program is feasible for head and neck cancer patients. Social support at the time of diagnosis has been shown to improve head and neck cancer quality of life before and after treatment. However, not all patients have a strong social support system. Recent research has shown that peer support programs have the potential to address unmet social support needs among cancer patients. These programs involve cancer survivors (peer mentors) providing emotional and informational support to cancer patients (mentees) earlier in their disease course. Peer support programs may also reduce caregiver burden by providing an additional source of support for the patient. A one-on-one peer support program may be feasible for patients with head and neck cancer and their caregivers.

Primary objective:

I. Examine the feasibility of a peer support program for head and neck cancer patients.

Secondary objective:

I. Collect qualitative and quantitative data on the utilization of the mentorship program.

Exploratory objective:

I. Descriptive analysis of mentee psychosocial wellbeing over time. II. Descriptive analysis of caregiver burden over time.

Outline:

Patients ("mentees") participate in the peer support program by being matched with and meeting with a peer mentor, either virtually or in-person, during the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• MENTEE GROUP: Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
• MENTEE GROUP: Willingness to have mentor-mentee interactions with the mentor selected by Imerman Angels (documented as part of informed consent)
• MENTEE GROUP: Age 18 or older at the time of consent (upper age limit 89)
• MENTEE GROUP: Diagnosed with head & neck cancer (all stages) and planning to receive, currently receiving or recently completed (within 12 months) active treatment OR in follow-up and reporting unmet social/support needs
• MENTEE GROUP: English-speaker
• MENTEE GROUP: Access to electronic device that can be used for communication
• MENTEE GROUP: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score less than or equal to 2
• CAREGIVER GROUP: Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
• CAREGIVER GROUP: Age 18 or older at the time of consent (upper age limit 89)
• CAREGIVER GROUP: Caregiver of patient diagnosed with head and neck cancer who is also enrolled in the study
• CAREGIVER GROUP: English-speaker
• CAREGIVER GROUP: Access to electronic device that can be used for communication

Exclusion Criteria:

• MENTEE GROUP: Mentee must not be regularly engaging in other support programs at the start of the study intervention
• MENTEE GROUP: Undergoing active professional treatment for cognitive or emotional difficulties or neurological deficits that preclude adherence to the study protocol
• MENTEE GROUP: Any other social, emotional, or personal situation that will preclude adherence to the study protocol, at the discretion of the investigator
• CAREGIVER GROUP: Caregivers must not be regularly engaging in other support programs at the start of the study intervention
• CAREGIVER GROUP: Undergoing active professional treatment for cognitive or emotional difficulties or neurological deficits that preclude adherence to the study protocol
• CAREGIVER GROUP: Any other social, emotional, or personal situation that will preclude adherence to the study protocol, at the discretion of the investigator