Peer support needs, preferences and experiences of adults with acquired neurological disability: a scoping review protocol.

Abstract

Peer support is a promising adjunct to traditional rehabilitation methods for helping adults with acquired neurological disability adjust to and navigate life with a disability. However, there is limited guidance on how to implement peer support for this cohort. To help inform peer support practices, the aim of this scoping review is to determine what is currently known about the peer support needs, preferences and experiences of adults with acquired neurological disability. The scoping review will be conducted according to guidelines published by Arksey and O'Malley, Levac <i>et al</i> and Peters <i>et al</i>. Reporting will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. Systematic searches on five electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Scopus) will be conducted to identify peer-reviewed research published since 2013 that investigates any type of peer support for adults (18-65 years) with any acquired neurological disability. Information about the study, participant and peer support characteristics, as well as data pertaining to the key outcomes of interest (ie, needs, preferences and experiences), will be charted, summarised and reported. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic synthesis, and findings will be discussed with 4-6 people with lived experience of acquired neurological disability. The review does not require an ethics application. It is anticipated that findings will be disseminated through journal publications and conference presentations. Translation of the findings to non-academic audiences will be informed by the consultation with lived experience experts.