The Research of French PaRole OncO : A Peer Supported Program for Cancer Patients

Official title

Implementation and Evaluation of Peer Support in Oncology in France : a Multisite Participatory Action Research - Adaptation and Transfer in France of the Quebec PAROLE ONCO Research Program

Overview

Peer support is a valuable mode of accompaniment between individuals who are facing or have faced similar challenging life experiences. In this context, a patient advisor (PA) shares their experiential knowledge, derived from living with a disease, to offer emotional, experiential, and informational support to other patients. This PA intervention represents an innovative form of support for oncology patients, potentially addressing their needs more comprehensively throughout the care pathway by integrating psychosocial dimensions into the support approach. The present pilot study aims to investigate the implementation and effectiveness of the peer-to-peer support program "PaRole OncO France" in the oncology setting. The study will focus on: 1. Evaluating clinical and psychosocial parameters 2. Utilizing an in-depth multiple case study approach This research seeks to provide insights into how peer support can enhance the overall care experience for oncology patients, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes and a more holistic approach to cancer care.

Detailed description

Peer support is a valuable mode of accompaniment between individuals who are facing or have faced similar challenging life experiences. In this context, a patient advisor (PA) shares their experiential knowledge, derived from living with a disease, to offer emotional, experiential, and informational support to other patients. This PA intervention represents an innovative form of support for oncology patients, potentially addressing their needs more comprehensively throughout the care pathway by integrating psychosocial dimensions into the support approach.

The present pilot study aims to investigate the implementation and effectiveness of the peer-to-peer support program "PaRole OncO France" in the oncology setting. The study will focus on:

1. Evaluating clinical and psychosocial parameters 2. Utilizing an in-depth multiple case study approach This research seeks to provide insights into how peer support can enhance the overall care experience for oncology patients, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes and a more holistic approach to cancer care.

Interventions

• Behavioral PaRole OncO France : Individual peer support
  Following the development of the peer support program "PaRole OncO France", we are now proceeding with its implementation and evaluation through a pilot study. This study aims to derive both implementation-related and clinically relevant results. Prior to their assignment, all peer helpers undergo a comprehensive training course to ensure they are well-equipped for their role. Patients receive individual peer support during their treatment visits, providing real-time assistance and support wit

Primary outcome measures

• Feasibility of implementation of the Peer Support Program in Oncology [Time frame: 30 months]

Secondary outcome measures (12)

• Evolution of stress levels [Time frame: Baseline]
• Evolution of stress levels [Time frame: 6 months]
• Evolution of quality of life [Time frame: Baseline]
• Evolution of quality of life [Time frame: 1 month, 6 month]
• Evolution of patient-perceived care experience [Time frame: Baseline]
• Evolution of patient-perceived care experience [Time frame: 1 month]
• Evolution of patient-perceived care experience [Time frame: 6 months]
• Patient empowerment [Time frame: Baseline]
• Patient empowerment [Time frame: 1 month]
• Patient empowerment [Time frame: 6 month]
• Evolution of relationship between accompanied patients and healthcare professionals [Time frame: Baseline;1 month and 6 month after intervention]
• Evolution of quality of life of patient advisors [Time frame: Baseline, 1month, 6 month]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Patient participants :

• Patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent cancer (urological, digestive, mammary, pulmonary, ORL, peritoneal carcinosis, melanoma, oncohaematology)
• French-speaking patients
• Patients adivsors :

• Patient advisors will be past cancer patients not currently undergoing treatment for their cancer, and considered without evidence of disease
• French-speaking patients

Exclusion criteria

• Patients participants :

• Not followed in one of the participating units
• Persons deprived of their liberty by judicial or administrative decision
• Persons not affiliated to a social security scheme or beneficiaries of a similar scheme
• Patient advisors :

• Recurrence of the disease
• Currently undergoing treatment for active cancer

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

N/A

Model

Single group

Masking

Open label

Primary purpose

Supportive care

Study locations

France · 2 centers

• Hospices Civils de Lyon — Lyon
• Hospices Civils de Lyon — Lyon

Publications

• Busnel Y, Pomey MP, Termoz A, Christophe V, Tournigand C, Jouet E, Panse L, Cognon S, Ganter C, Villate A, Maisani P, Preau M, Haesebaert J; Proof investigators group. Implementation and evaluation of a peer-to-peer support program in oncology: study protocol for the PaRole Onco France model. Arch Public Health. 2026 Jan 30;84(1):24. doi: 10.1186/s13690-025-01827-6. PMID 41612477

Identifiers

NCT: NCT06817655 · 69HCL23_1301

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗