A National Virtual Peer Support Group for Women Veterans Living with Breast Cancer: Lessons from the Field

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Services Research
• Qualitative Health Research

Background:

• Peer support specialists (PSSs) traditionally operate in mental health settings within the Veteran's Health Administration (VHA).
• PSS-facilitated cancer support groups are underutilized in the VHA.
• This study addresses the need to explore peer support for women veterans with breast cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the acceptability and feasibility of a PSS-facilitated peer support group for women veterans with breast cancer.
• To understand the perceived benefits of such a group from both veteran and health system leader perspectives.
• To identify key elements for successful implementation and participant engagement.

Main Methods:

• Utilized semi-structured interviews with veteran participants and health system leaders (HSLs).
• Employed rapid qualitative analysis for transcription and data interpretation.
• Focused on understanding experiences related to shared experiences, peer matching, and group structure.

Main Results:

• Veterans highly valued shared experiences and connection with peers who had similar breast cancer journeys.
• Peer facilitators with lived experience were desired for authentic connection and effective coping strategies (supportive and instrumental).
• Acceptability of virtual formats was noted, with preferences for specific group structures, topics, and outcomes identified by veterans; HSLs linked outcomes to community connection and support.

Conclusions:

• Cancer support groups require tailored programmatic content and PSS-cancer-experience matching for authenticity.
• Effective peer support for cancer patients necessitates a focus on shared lived experiences.
• Optimizing peer support groups involves understanding participant preferences for structure, content, and facilitator characteristics.