Exploring the perceived effectiveness, impact and benefits of a work‐based cancer survivorship peer support programme: A qualitative descriptive study
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Date
2026-04-17
Authors
O'Malley, Maria
Wills, Teresa
Kelleher, Sean
Evans, Ciaran
Kilty, Caroline
Koc, Irem
Cleary, Olga
Forristal, Helen
Saab, Mohamad M.
Hegarty, Josephine
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Published Version
Abstract
Aim: To explore the perceived effectiveness, impact and benefits of a work-based cancer survivorship peer support programme for healthcare employees who have experienced or are experiencing cancer. Design: A qualitative descriptive study. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to recruit 33 participants (10 peers, 12 peer supporters, 4 line managers and 7 members of the governance group). Data were collected between October 2024 and February 2025 through individual interviews and focus groups. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Four themes were generated: Programme Reach and Adoption, Implementing the Programme, Programme Effectiveness and Impact and Programme Maintenance and Growth. Challenges included the pilot status of the programme impacting awareness and uptake, potential reluctance to share diagnoses and the impact of cancer on colleagues. The approach of peer supporters was considered central to the programmes' success. Peer supporters valued training and continuous practice development opportunities. Conclusion: Demonstrated benefits, including satisfaction and the value of peer support, were evident. To ensure programme maintenance, increased recruitment and training of peer supporters and clear communication regarding the programme and referral pathways are essential. Financial support is required to maintain training and address dissemination challenges. Implications for the Profession: Work-based peer support programmes can help cancer survivors reintegrate into the workforce more effectively, rebuilding confidence, fostering resilience and navigating workplace expectations. Enhanced staff well-being may also positively influence retention, performance and health-related disruptions. Impact: Findings from this underexplored area of work-based peer support within a healthcare setting have the potential to influence healthcare leaders, policy makers and future research. Improving staff's' quality of life on return to work benefits the individual, the organisation and care delivery by ensuring a healthy, supported workforce. Reporting Method: The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklist and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TiDieR) checklist were utilised. Patient or Public Contributions: No patient or public contribution.
Description
Keywords
Cancer survivors , Health personnel , Nursing evaluation research , Psychosocial support systems , Survivorship , [NursingMidwifery]
Citation
O'Malley, M, Wills, T, Kelleher, S, Evans, C, Kilty, C, Koc, I, Cleary, O, Forristal, H, Saab, M M & Hegarty, J 2026, 'Exploring the perceived effectiveness, impact and benefits of a work‐based cancer survivorship peer support programme: A qualitative descriptive study', Journal of Advanced Nursing, pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.70623