Peer to Peer Mentoring For Individuals With Early Inflammatory Arthritis: An Effectiveness Study (Pilot RCT)- Peer Mentor Training

Peer support (including informational, emotional, appraisal support) has been shown to help persons with chronic conditions. The goal of this research is to examine the impact of early peer support on the health and quality of life of individuals with early inflammatory arthritis (EIA). The investigators hypothesize that early peer support will result in improved use of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) or biologic treatment, self-efficacy, coping efficacy, social support, health-related quality of life, self-management, and disease activity score as well as reduced anxiety for individuals with EIA within 2 years of their diagnosis. In this study, persons with IA will be trained as peer mentors using a training program developed for a pilot study. Individuals with EIA will be randomized to receive either "peer support program" or "standard care". Peer mentors will be paired with a person with EIA to provide one-on-one support (face-to-face or telephone) once a week for approximately 30 minutes over a 12-week period. All "standard care" participants will receive the peer mentoring intervention at the end of study. Both groups will be evaluated using self-administered questionnaires and clinical assessments, and results of the two groups will be compared. This information will be used to design a larger study.