Background:
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is uniquely placed to impact the effects of prostate cancer on men and their networks, through our peer led support network. This network has been strengthened through the development and delivery of evidence-based training for peer Support Group Leaders (SGLs).
Aim:
The training aimed to increase knowledge and the acquisition of skills for SGLs across three training modules: group purpose and group agreement (GPGA); welcoming new members (WNM); and group promotion (GrP).
Methods:
A survey (6-point Likert scale) was used to conduct a retrospective post-then-pre evaluation of the training.
Results:
Improvements in skill were recorded for: GrP module – skills to engage with Health Professionals (M=3.86 to M=4.68, p<.000); WNM module - skills to make a new member feel welcome (M=4.27 to M=5.32, p<.000); GPGA module - skills in the development (M=3.53 to M=5.21, p<.000) and implementation (M=3.61 to M=5.2, p<.000) of group purposes and agreements.
Increments in knowledge were recorded for: GrP module - the importance of interacting with Health Professionals (M=4.40 to M=5.24, p<.000) and ways to approach local media (M=3.60 to M=4.76, p<.000); WNM modules - ways to connect with potential new members (M=4.08 to M=5.30, p<.000), communicating group benefits (M=4.27 to M=5.36, p<.000) post workshop) and the importance of follow-up contact (M=3.96 to M=5.34, p<.000); GPGA - the benefits of group agreements (M=3.63 to M=5.25, p<.000) and an understanding of the importance of confidentiality issues (M=5.03 to M=5.79, p<.000).
Conclusions:
The delivery of these evidence-based modules had a significant impact on SGLs who gained knowledge and skill in leading a support group. Training such as this provides best practice principles to community leaders, improving their confidence to lead and the confidence of people to refer to these groups, thus ameliorating the effects of prostate cancer on men and their families