TY - JOUR

T1 - The motivation to volunteer as a peer support provider to newly diagnosed patients with acute leukemia – A qualitative interview study

AU - Myrhøj, Cæcilie Borregaard

AU - Nørskov, Kristina Holmegaard

AU - Jarden, Mary

AU - Rydahl-Hansen, Susan

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Purpose: To identify and describe the motivation to volunteer as a peer support provider (PSP) to newly diagnosed patients with acute leukemia (AL). Method: A phenomenological individual interview study based on one open-ended question. The participants (n = 12) had previously been treated for AL and were recruited from an ongoing peer support feasibility study. The interviews were carried out prior to participation as a peer support provider. A phenomenological methodology developed by Amadeo Giorgi was used for the analysis of the data. Results: The essence of the phenomenon can be characterized by the following characteristics: “A wish to move on with life”, “A wish to instill hope to those in a hopeless situation” and “Expecting own course of disease to become meaningful”. The motivation reflected the experience that when helping others they also helped themselves. Conclusion: Former patients treated for AL are motivated to undertake their new role as PSP because their own course of disease becomes meaningful, helps facilitate a better post-cancer recovery through greater self-confidence while instilling hope to newly diagnosed patients with AL. Clinical implications: It is important to identify readiness before recruiting former patients for the PSP role and to develop peer-to-peer programs to sustain motivation. Future studies should examine how motivation changes over time while practicing as a PSP to newly diagnosed patient with AL.

AB - Purpose: To identify and describe the motivation to volunteer as a peer support provider (PSP) to newly diagnosed patients with acute leukemia (AL). Method: A phenomenological individual interview study based on one open-ended question. The participants (n = 12) had previously been treated for AL and were recruited from an ongoing peer support feasibility study. The interviews were carried out prior to participation as a peer support provider. A phenomenological methodology developed by Amadeo Giorgi was used for the analysis of the data. Results: The essence of the phenomenon can be characterized by the following characteristics: “A wish to move on with life”, “A wish to instill hope to those in a hopeless situation” and “Expecting own course of disease to become meaningful”. The motivation reflected the experience that when helping others they also helped themselves. Conclusion: Former patients treated for AL are motivated to undertake their new role as PSP because their own course of disease becomes meaningful, helps facilitate a better post-cancer recovery through greater self-confidence while instilling hope to newly diagnosed patients with AL. Clinical implications: It is important to identify readiness before recruiting former patients for the PSP role and to develop peer-to-peer programs to sustain motivation. Future studies should examine how motivation changes over time while practicing as a PSP to newly diagnosed patient with AL.

KW - Acute leukemia

KW - Motivation

KW - Peer support

KW - Phenomenology

KW - Social support

KW - Volunteering

U2 - 10.1016/j.ejon.2020.101750

DO - 10.1016/j.ejon.2020.101750

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 32344217

AN - SCOPUS:85083741295

VL - 46

JO - European Journal of Oncology Nursing

JF - European Journal of Oncology Nursing

SN - 1462-3889

M1 - 101750

ER -