“Where there’s a wheel , there’s a way”: peer-trainers’ perspectives on delivering an eHealth wheelchair skills training intervention

PURPOSE: (TEAM Wheels), a peer-led eHealth program, was evaluated in three Canadian cities. Peer-trainers in each city were recruited and trained to deliver TEAM Wheels. The aim of this study was to explore experiences and perceptions of peer-trainers after delivering the TEAM Wheels program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive qualitative design employed semi-structured interviews with peer-trainers who delivered TEAM Wheels in a randomised controlled trial. All peer-trainers were contacted by study investigators and invited to participate. Open-ended questions explored wheelchair experiences of peer-trainers, previous peer mentorship, preparation for the peer-trainer role, and experiences with the TEAM Wheels study. Interview recordings were transcribed verbatim, content coded and inductively constructed into themes. RESULTS: = 7) participated in this study. The first theme uncovered how merging lived experience and personal skills influenced their peer-trainer role, highlighting what peer-trainers perceived as important to accomplish their role. The second theme explored the building blocks of quality experiences for peer-trainers, suggesting flexibility and training as important aspects influencing their experience. CONCLUSION: When peer-trainers are adequately prepared, and there is a good mentor-mentee match, peer-trainers could play an important role in supporting the training to improve wheelchair mobility and general mentoring needs of wheelchair users.