Association of support group leader experience with Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Support group Leader EDucation Program outcomes: Secondary analysis of a two-arm parallel partially nested randomized controlled trial.

Introduction/objective: The Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Support group Leader EDucation Program was found in a randomized controlled trial to substantially improve leader self-efficacy. Whether the program is effective for leaders with different levels of experience, including candidate leaders with no prior experience and leaders with ⩽3 years experience or ⩾4 years experience, is not known. The objective of the present post hoc secondary analysis was to evaluate outcomes by leader experience, age, and education.

Effects of a support group leader education program jointly developed by health professionals and patients on peer leader self-efficacy among leaders of scleroderma support groups: a two-arm parallel partially nested randomised controlled trial.

Background: More people with rare diseases likely receive disease education and emotional and practical support from peer-led support groups than any other way. Most rare-disease support groups are delivered outside of the health care system by untrained leaders. Potential benefits may not be achieved and harms, such as dissemination of inaccurate information, may occur.