Conclusions
cancer, stroke
CANCER, DISEASE, STROKE
The isPO OG service is an integral part of the new psycho-oncological form of care isPO. It is offered to newly diagnosed cancer patients on a voluntary basis and engages cancer survivors as peer service providers. The isPO OG consultations embody a low-threshold offer for information provision (orientation towards support services) and the gift of courage and hope to newly diagnosed patients. With these two main characteristics, the programme fulfils the requirements of the German NCP and psycho-oncological guideline (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit Overall, the initial health effects were described as psychosocially beneficial. However, resource, process, and utilisation differences were detected within the isPO care networks. These indicate that both flexibility and adaptation of the care concept are required at the organisational level, provision, and individual level. The perfect conceptual fitting, timing, frequency, and duration of the consultations should follow the actual patient needs in everyday care.To optimise new forms of care like the isPO OG service, we recommended early involvement and participation of all relevant stakeholders, including patients or their representatives, professional service providers at the care and managerial level, and the isPO OGs. With its positive outcomes and low-threshold healthcare offer, the isPO OG service can serve as a blueprint for one-to-one peer support in other healthcare domains, such as stroke. The key elements of such integrated peer support are providing relevant and accurate information and demonstrating how to overcome or live with a disease soon after the diagnosis.