Peer Health Coaching for Women's Health Improvement

Not currently recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By Camille K Williams, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Women's College Hospital

Disqualifiers: Language, Literacy, Competence, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether peer health coaching helps women improve health behaviors related to preventing chronic diseases and cancer. The focus is on women aged 40 to 68 who may not meet health goals like physical activity or diet targets or are overdue for screenings such as breast or cervical cancer. Participants will receive either regular care or additional support from a trained peer coach for six months to work on personalized health goals. The study aims to determine if those with coaching complete more prevention actions and if the benefits persist over time. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance preventive health strategies for women.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the study team or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that peer health coaching is safe for women's health improvement?

Research has shown that peer health coaching is generally safe for participants. In past studies, individuals who received coaching experienced health improvements without major issues. These studies found that peer coaching helps people manage their health better and enhances their quality of life.

No serious unwanted effects were reported, indicating that participants tolerate peer health coaching well. Trained coaches support individuals in making healthier choices, which has proven beneficial. Overall, the evidence supports the safety of peer health coaching in a community setting. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about peer health coaching for women's health improvement because it empowers patients to take an active role in their own health journey. Unlike standard care which often relies heavily on medical interventions and guidance from healthcare professionals, this approach leverages the power of trained volunteer coaches who provide personalized support and motivation. This method focuses on setting and achieving individualized health goals, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer, and encouraging sustainable lifestyle changes. By offering ongoing support and accountability, peer health coaching could enhance patient engagement and lead to better health outcomes.

What evidence suggests that peer health coaching is effective for improving women's health?

Research has shown that a peer health coach can improve health in community settings. In this trial, participants in the intervention arm will receive support from a trained, volunteer peer health coach for up to six months. Evidence suggests that this type of coaching helps people with long-term illnesses, like diabetes and heart disease, make positive health changes. Studies have found that people working with peer coaches often complete more health check-ups and preventive activities. Additionally, peer coaching supports lasting changes in health habits. While results can differ, this approach holds promising potential to improve health management and help people reach their health goals. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Noah M Ivers, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Women's College Hospital

Aisha Lofters, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Women's College Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women aged 40-68 in Ontario with an email and health insurance, who have at least one unhealthy behavior or are overdue for cancer screenings. They must be able to consent and communicate in English.

Inclusion Criteria

Patient has a valid number for the provincial health insurance program (Ontario Health Insurance Program [OHIP]); and

I identify as a woman.

I have an email address.

Exclusion Criteria

Patient is unable to give informed consent in English due to language, literacy, or competence;

Patient's primary care provider has identified medical comorbidities or other conditions at baseline that might interfere with the patient's ability to follow through on the intervention.

I can communicate in English via email and phone with the study team.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Prevention Visit

Participants have a single visit with a prevention practitioner to discuss chronic disease prevention and cancer screening

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Health Coaching

Participants receive ongoing support from a trained, volunteer peer health coach to achieve personalized health goals over a 6-month period

6 months

Regular virtual check-ins

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for the effectiveness of health coaching and maintenance of health behavior changes

6 months

Surveys at 3, 6, and 12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Peer health coaching

Trial Overview The study tests if a prevention visit followed by six months of peer health coaching helps women achieve more health goals compared to just the visit alone. It also examines long-term effects and program implementation.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Wait-list Control Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients will have a prevention visit with a Prevention Practitioner (a healthcare provider who has received additional training) and complete a baseline survey, after which they will receive usual care from their healthcare providers. Patients will be administered another survey at 3 months and a final survey at 6 months. After study completion (about 6-months after the initial prevention visit), patients will be invited to receive ongoing support from a trained, volunteer peer health coach, for up to six months. The coach will support the patient as she works towards achieving personalized health goals to reduce her risk of chronic diseases, including cancer.

Group II: Intervention Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Patients will have a prevention visit with a Prevention Practitioner (a healthcare provider who has received additional training), complete the baseline survey then be invited to receive ongoing support from a trained, volunteer peer health coach, for up to six months. The coach will support the patient as she works towards achieving personalized health goals to reduce her risk of chronic diseases, including cancer. Patients will be administered additional surveys at 3 and 6 months and a final survey at 12 months.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Women's College Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

108

Recruited

43,700+

Canadian Cancer Society (CCS)

Collaborator

Trials

84

Recruited

42,100+

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

Collaborator

Trials

51

Recruited

101,000+

Women's College Hospital Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

270+

Women's College Hospital Family Practice Health Centre

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

270+

Barrie and Community Family Health Team

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

450+

University Health Network, Toronto

Collaborator

Trials

1,555

Recruited

526,000+

Applied Health Research Centre

Collaborator

Trials

23

Recruited

70,900+

Summerville Family Health Team

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

270+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11284880/

Assessing the effectiveness of “BETTER Women”, a ... This work will test an intervention that adds support from community-based peer health coaches liaising with health care providers embedded in ...

2. centerwatch.com centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/NCT04746859/evaluation-of-the-effectiveness-and-implementation-of-the-better-women-peer-health-coaching-program

Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Implementation ... There is also some evidence that peer-delivered coaching can improve health outcomes in community settings. As such, the BETTER Women ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10245194/

Effect of a Peer Health Coaching Intervention on Clinical ... In this randomized clinical trial of 264 US veterans, there was no significant improvement in SBP in participants who received the peer health ...

4. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2805604

Effect of a Peer Health Coaching Intervention on Clinical ... In this randomized clinical trial of 264 US veterans, there was no significant improvement in SBP in participants who received the peer health coaching ...

5. journals.plos.org journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0236734

Health and wellness coaching positively impacts individuals ... Health and wellness coaching (HWC) interventions have been reported to improve health outcomes for individuals with chronic diseases such as ...

6. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/tbm/article/14/2/80/7204141

Brief peer coaching complements daily digital messages for ... We found that a brief digital coaching intervention designed for young adult Latinas has the potential to improve health activation and behaviors.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6125027/

Clinical Effectiveness of Lifestyle Health Coaching Outcomes data from published studies, including randomized clinical trials and independent third-party conducted research, have documented the clinical ...

8. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2025/03210/effects_of_a_mobile_health_coaching_intervention.77.aspx

Effects of a mobile health coaching intervention on ... Conclusions: The 12-week mobile health coaching program significantly reduced symptoms, improved self-management, and enhanced overall QOL and ...