Subjective evaluation of a peer support program by women with breast cancer: A qualitative study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the subjective evaluation of a breast cancer peer support program based on a survey of the participants who completed the program.

METHODS: Semistructured interviews were held with 10 women with breast cancer. The responses were subject to a qualitative inductive analysis.

RESULTS: Women with breast cancer who participated in the breast cancer peer support program evaluated the features of the program and cited benefits, such as "Receiving individual peer support tailored to your needs," "Easily consulted trained peer supporters," and "Excellent coordination." Also indicated were benefits of the peer support that was received, such as "Receiving peer-specific emotional support," "Obtaining specific experimental information," "Re-examining yourself," and "Making preparations to move forward." The women also spoke of disadvantages, such as "Strict management of personal information" and "Matching limitations."

CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the subjective evaluation of a peer support program by women with breast cancer was clarified . The women with breast cancer felt that the program had many benefits and some disadvantages. These results suggest that there is potential for peer support-based patient-support programs in medical services that are complementary to the current support that is provided by professionals.