The iPeer2Peer Mentorship Program for Young Adults With Heart Disease

Launched by SAMANTHA ANTHONY · Aug 5, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a program called iPeer2Peer, which aims to help young adults living with heart conditions like heart failure or those who have had a heart transplant. Many young people with these heart issues face stress, anxiety, and challenges in managing their health, especially as they become more independent and take charge of their care. This program connects younger patients (aged 18 to 25) with slightly older mentors (aged 26 to 35) who have similar heart conditions and experience. The mentors provide support through video calls and text messages over 12 weeks to help improve how young adults manage their health and feel emotionally supported.

To take part, mentees need to be between 18 and 25 years old, have a heart condition such as heart failure, cardiomyopathy, or have had specific heart surgeries, and be able to use a smartphone or computer for communication. Mentors are a bit older, must have lived with a heart condition for at least three months, and should be recommended by their healthcare team as good candidates to offer support. Both mentors and mentees need to be comfortable with online communication and free from serious cognitive or psychological issues that could affect participation. If you join, you’ll be matched with a trained mentor who will connect with you regularly online to offer guidance and share experiences, helping you feel less alone and better equipped to handle your health as you transition into adulthood.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Peer Mentor inclusion criteria: (a) heart disease patients, (b) at least three months post-diagnosis, (c) between the ages of 26-35 years old, (d) nominated by a member of their healthcare team as a good candidate to act in the mentor role based on maturity and emotional stability (e.g., good communication skills, positive adaptation and adjustment, strong support network), (e) willingness to commit to virtual peer mentor training, (f) able to speak and read English, and (g) access to a device (e.g., smart phone, tablet, computer) capable of using free WhatsApp software.
• • Peer Mentee inclusion criteria: (a) heart disease patients, (b) between the ages of 18-25 years old, (c) able to speak and read English, and (d) access to a device (e.g., smart phone, tablet, computer) capable of using free WhatsApp software.
• Heart disease patients include:
• • Patients with any past or present heart failure
• • Patients with cardiomyopathy seen at least 2 times a year
• • Patients who have undergone a Fontan procedure
• • Patients who have undergone a heart transplant
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Mentor and mentee exclusion criteria include: (a) Significant cognitive impairments as assessed by a qualified healthcare provider (HCP), (b) have a diagnosis of an active psychological disorder (e.g.: Major Depressive Disorder, etc.; determined through chart review by a qualified HCP) likely to influence assessment of health-related quality of life and/or interfere with their ability to manage their heart disease care regimen, and (c) are participating in other peer support or self-management interventions.