Peer support in paediatrics: A literature review

Aim: Creating an overview of the existing literature about peer support in paediatrics, with a focus on children with chronic diseases.

Methods: An online search was conducted in MEDLINE and Web of Science. English, Dutch or French articles published between 1 January 2000 and 10 May 2023 were included, based on title and abstract.

Results: In this review, 47 articles were included, identifying following themes: Health-Related Quality of Life (n = 8), peer support for parents/siblings (n = 6), social environment (n = 2), and peer support programme for children (n = 31) subdivided in: general concept (n = 13), online (n = 11), camps (n = 6), and development of a peer support programme (n = 1). Peer support aims to improve disease-related knowledge, coping, and management of the disease, as well as creating a positive mindset and decreasing the disease burden. There is no consensus regarding which peer group design was superior.

Conclusions: Peer groups aim to increase knowledge and psychological adaptation, and decrease physical symptoms and side effects. It is desired to start the peer mentor programme within 1 year after diagnosis or during a critical incident. Further investigation needs to determine the optimal age to start these groups and the format (online or in-person). Communication between mentors and their mentees was crucial in the succeeding of the programme, as well as creating a safe environment to share experiences. Even though research is still needed concerning peer-to-peer support for children, there is already a lot known about similar programmes for parents of children with chronic diseases.