What do patients with a rare cancer living in rural, regional or remote areas and stakeholders want from a peer support program? A qualitative study

Background: Patients with a rare cancer in rural, regional, and remote Australia experience heightened challenges in their illness journey, including significant psychosocial impacts. Although peer support has shown benefits for common cancer patients living in urban areas, these programs often do not reach underserved groups for instance those with a rare cancer, or those living in rural, regional or remote areas. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of peer support programs for patients with a rare cancer living in rural, regional or remote areas. Methods: Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 39 people with a rare cancer and 10 healthcare providers to explore key points for inclusion in a peer support service for people diagnosed with a rare cancer living in rural, regional or remote areas. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically, using Nvivo. Results: Participants described their peer support needs using the key terms who, what, how, where, and when. Participants advocated for a flexible, multicomponent intervention that could meet the varied and fluctuating needs of this group. Participants also noted challenges with the practical delivery of such a service, specifically, the risk of receiving misinformation, adverse emotional reactions, interpersonal challenges and implementation issues. Conclusions: This study highlights the role of peer support in addressing unmet needs of patients with a rare cancer, particularly in rural areas, emphasising the importance of tailored, flexible, and multimodal interventions for the delivery of peer support that addresses diverse needs.