This research evaluated 'Bridge of Support', a hospital-based peer support program for women diagnosed with breast or a gynaecological cancer. 'Bridge of Support' is delivered by Counterpart, a service of Women's Healtth Victoria.
Data were collected from a retrospective service data audit and surveys with women participants, peer support volunteers and health service staff. Women's experiences were positive, and volunteers and health service staff perceived that the program had benefited women with breast or a gynaecological cancer. Peer support programs appear to be an effective and acceptable component of breast/gynaecological cancer care in an acute care setting, and are able to provide women with information and emotional and practical support at the time of diagnosis and during treatment.
Fulltext availability (paywalled):
Pitcher M, Jorgensen S, Matar L, Vogan D, Holland K, McRae F, et al. (2021). 'Bridge of Support': evaluation of an acute care peer support model for women with breast or a gynaecological cancer. Australian Journal of Cancer Nursing, 22(1): 9–16.
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