Development of a Group-Based, Peer-Mentor Intervention to Promote Disease Self-Management Skills Among Youth With Chronic Medical Conditions.

Study Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a group-based peer-mentor intervention to enhance knowledge/skills of transition-age youth (TAY) from three clinical services (gastroenterology, renal or rheumatology) at a large children's hospital in order to facilitate transition from pediatric to adult healthcare.

Design And Methods: Using a multi-modal, iterative approach, the structure/content of the intervention was based on peer-reviewed literature; surveys/interviews conducted with TAY, families, and adult and pediatric providers; principles of Self-Determination Theory and motivational interviewing; and guided by a logic model. A TAY community advisory board helped interpret the information and develop the intervention.

Results: The resulting intervention has eight sessions led by peer mentors (young adults who have successfully transitioned to adult healthcare, who are trained to use a motivational interviewing approach) covering topics such as goal setting; understanding my diagnosis; organizing personal, health & insurance information; characteristics of a good provider; filling/refilling prescriptions; and mental well-being. The TAY community advisory board recommended holding two sessions on each of four Saturdays, using interactive group activities to make it fun, and creating a written complimentary manual for caregivers.

Conclusions: A TAY community advisory board was instrumental in developing an innovative peer-mentor intervention to promote the development of specific skills TAY require to manage their disease within adult healthcare.

Practice Implications: Although the intervention was developed with extensive stakeholder input, a next step is to evaluate the intervention with respect to how well it fits the broader membership in the target population.