A programme evaluation of 'First Steps': A peer-conceived, developed and led self-management intervention for people after a Parkinson's diagnosis.

Objective: A diagnosis of Parkinson's often leads to uncertainty about the future and loss of perceived control. Peer support may offer a means to address these concerns and promote self-management.

Design: A programme evaluation of the feasibility and potential effects of 'First Steps', utilising a pragmatic step wedge approach.

A Qualitative Study on the Impact of First Steps-A Peer-led Educational Intervention for People Newly Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

The dual aim of this research was to consider the impact of providing the First Steps program on the stories of people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and to investigate the psychosocial and emotional mechanisms which may explain this impact. : A qualitative study using a subtle realist paradigm and hermeneutic phenomenological methodology was undertaken. A single semi-structured interview was used to consider the impact and experiences of people with PD who completed either the intervention (2-day peer-led behavior intervention using storytelling 6-8 weeks apart) or received telephone support calls as part of the active control group.