Research trial: Peer Connect feasibility study

The Peer Connect study is running alongside the Health Connect Coaching Programme specifically with people who attend rheumatology, chronic pain and multiple sclerosis clinics at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. If you attend any of these clinics, the Health Connect Coaching programme coordinators will ask you to be part of the research to help us assess and further develop the programme.

The study is being run by the University of Plymouth and is termed a feasibility study as it is a small study run to see if our plans for conducting the research work in practice and are acceptable to the people involved. Findings will help us decide whether or not a larger research trial is possible and how best to do it. This would enable us to establish if the Health Connect Coaching Programme is effective. The study is being funded until spring 2023 by the Torbay Medical Research Fund.

Who can take part?

We are looking for people to take part in our study either as trained Volunteer Coaches or Peers. Our only inclusion criteria are that you are:

Aged 18 years or older
Attend / have attended rheumatology, pain or multiple sclerosis clinics in Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Willing and able to engage in the six month coaching intervention
Willing and able to commit to undertaking assessments at baseline, six and nine months
Capacity to provide informed consent
Sufficient fluency in English to be able to engage with the intervention and study

In addition to these criteria, we use a questionnaire called the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) to determine whether you would be eligible to become a Coach or Peer. Coaches need to score Level 3 or 4 on the PAM and Peers Level 1 or 2.

Information sheets

If you are interested or have any questions or would like to find our more please contact:

Email: Health Connect Coaching Programme or peerconnect@plymouth.ac.uk
Tel: 07766 363154
Website: University of Plymouth – Peer Connect study