The map will be displayed in your browser with a title and links to relevant documents. The mapping tool is not currently optimised for viewing on a mobile phone.

At the top of the browser, there is a tool bar with options: to view Filters, Hide Headers, view the map in Fullscreen mode, read information About the map, and View Records. These elements are interactive and allow you experiment with how you view the information in the map. Header columns (OUTCOMES) and rows (INTERVENTIONS) and can be scrolled through to view all categories. You can expand or minimise categories for each column and row (to view sub-categories). To achieve this, use the arrows << >> (only visible when ‘Hide Headers’ option has not been chosen).

The rows in the map are intervention categories, while the columns indicate outcome categories. The cells displayed in the table contain a bubble whose size is proportional to the number of references reporting that outcome for that intervention/outcome. There are different bubbles to indicated overall quality of the included references. For the purposes of simplicity, all studies have been given an overall rating of HIGHER or LOWER confidence in research quality. Systematic reviews (SRs) have been assessed using the AMSTAR-2 tool; Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias (ROB tool), and Economic Evaluations (EEs) using the CHEC-list. For more detailed information relating to the overall assessed quality or risk of bias of each included reference please use Filters (see below). The map has been prepared to be colour blind friendly. Blue colour bubbles indicate HIGHER confidence in research quality, while orange/yellow bubbles indicate LOWER confidence in research quality.

The map has four style versions available: bubble, heat, donut and mosaic. These are self-explanatory and can be accessed by clicking -> Filters (top left of map), and selecting your preferred Style. Clicking on a cell provides a list of studies corresponding to the intervention and outcome for that cell. Click on a study in the list to access publication details, relevant summaries and the URL to access the study itself.

The map includes a set of filters, including population categories and type of study. These allow the map to display evidence just for the selected filter. To use this tool, click -> Filters on the top-left of the map, then select the category of interest. Once your chosen filters have been selected, click -> Update.

To filter included records by specific keyword or topic, click ->View Records, enter a filter term, for example ‘Diabetes’ into the top toolbar. This will display records with this keyword. You can choose to filter by All, Title, Abstract or Author.

This evidence and gap map both displays recent available evidence on the effectiveness of peer support available evidence, and identifies ‘gaps’ or areas where no recent evidence has been identified. Where cells do not have any bubbles, this indicates that no evidence was identified for these fields. We have provided the abstracts of included references, summaries for systematic reviews, and a link to view the original source with access the full study where possible. It is important to note that while this EGM aims to show what evidence is available, is does not comment on what the evidence says.

First experiment with options for viewing the map. Try using the buttons on the top tool bar. ‘Filters’ will display filtering options; ‘Hide headers’ hides the title and provides more space for map navigation; ‘Fullscreen’ provides a larger view of the map; ‘About’ links to contextual information about the map; ‘View Records’ shows you all the references included in the map.

Exercises:

1. Use the View Records button (top right of screen) to identify how many studies are included in this map.
     a. Number?
2. Use the map to find out what recent research (RCT and SR) has been identified on peer support INTERVENTIONS including Education, coaching, mentoring with OUTCOMES that are health-related indicators of Physical health.
     a. How many in total?
     b. How many RCTs?
     c. How many SRs?
3. Use the Filters (top left of screen) to find out how many RCTs with a summary assessment of Low Risk of Bias are included in this map. [Hint, once you have filtered the map to show RCTs and Low Risk of Bias, click ‘View Records’ (top right) to see all records].
     a. How many RCTs?
4. Clear all Filters. Use the map to identify one area related to Peer Support INTERVENTIONS that includes Wellbeing support for which no OUTCOMES are reported in the current map. (Hint, look for empty squares).
     a. Name of ‘gap’?
5. You are only interested in the OUTCOMES of Peer Support INTERVENTIONS for populations with mental health difficulties. How can you Filter the map to make sure you look at a map of recent research with this population?
     a. How many records (use View Records tab) are now visible on the map?
6. You are only interested in recent Systematic Review evidence. How can you FILTER the map to make sure you look at a map of recent systematic reviews only?
     a. How many records (use View Records tab) are now visible on the map?