Faculty Collaboration Database

"We Would Still Find Things to Talk About": Assessment of Mentor Perspectives in a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Intervention to Improve Disease Self-Management, Empowering SLE Patients. J Natl Med Assoc 2018 Apr;110(2):182-189

Date

03/28/2018

Pubmed ID

29580453

Pubmed Central ID

PMC6931279

DOI

10.1016/j.jnma.2017.05.003

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85019751722 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   4 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder with significant disparate impact on African American women. The current study sought to highlight how the Peer Approaches to Lupus Self-management (PALS) intervention worked bi-directionally wherein both women with SLE leading the disease self-management program (mentors), and those participants who served as mentees, were empowered toward greater disease self-efficacy.

METHODS: Data was captured for this study in two formats from the seven mentors participating in the pilot study: 1) mentor logs and 2) mentor interviews with the principle investigator. This information was then analyzed for themes relating to their experience within the study.

RESULTS: We found that empowerment was facilitated by mentors taking their mentorship responsibilities seriously and seeking several avenues for collaboratively developing success with their mentees. Mentors reported that although challenges arose, their desire for success resulted in multiple approaches to be flexible and responsive to the needs of their mentees. Additionally, reciprocity was found to be a vital element of the program.

CONCLUSIONS: Key thematic areas supported our ability to demonstrate the usefulness of a peer mentoring program for SLE disease self-management on evoking empowerment through reciprocal relationships among mentors and mentees within our study population. Furthermore the feedback from PALS participants yielded very rich and contextual information that can be used as a thematic guide for developing and refining evidence-based interventions that seek to incorporate empowerment into disease self-management efforts for women suffering from SLE.

Author List

Flournoy-Floyd M, Ortiz K, Egede L, Oates JC, Faith TD, Williams EM

Author

Leonard E. Egede MD Center Director, Chief, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Female
Focus Groups
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
Mentors
Patient Participation
Peer Group
Pilot Projects
Qualitative Research
Self Efficacy
Self-Management