Peer support between healthcare workers in hospital and out-of-hospital settings: a scoping review

Roberta Carbone; Silvia Ferrari; Stefano Callegarin; Francesca Casotti; Laura Turina; Giovanna Artioli; Antonio Bonacaro

doi:10.23750/abm.v93i5.13729

Authors

Roberta Carbone a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:12:"psychologist";}
Silvia Ferrari AUSL Romagna, Rimini, Italy
Stefano Callegarin Master In Critical Area Nursing, University of Parma, Italy
Francesca Casotti Master In Critical Area Nursing, University of Parma, Italy
Laura Turina Master In Critical Area Nursing, University of Parma, Italy
Giovanna Artioli Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
Antonio Bonacaro School of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Suffolk, United Kingdom

Keywords:

Peer Support, Nursing, Stress, Hospital, Emergency, Bournout, Healthcare worker

Abstract

Background and aim. The healthcare workers, mostly in emergency departments, are exposed to emotionally strong situations that can lead to psychological trauma. Often those who experience the “second victim” phenomenon find comfort in dealing with Peers that can help to understand emotions and normalize lived experiences. A scoping review was conducted to clarify the key concepts available in the literature and understand Peer Support characteristics and methods of implementation.

Methods. Scoping review J.B.I. approach was used. The reviewers analyzed the last twenty-one years of literature and extracted data from relevant studies.

Results. The research revealed 49 articles that discuss Peer Support in the healthcare system. Often articles involve healthcare workers without work area and role distinctions. 56% of the articles have been published in the last two years and the Anglo-Saxon countries are the main geographical area of origin (82%). Peer support emerges as a preclinical psychological support for people involved in tiring situations. It’s based on mutual respect and on voluntary and not prejudicial help. Peers are trained to guide the support relationship and identify the signs of possible pathologies. Peer Support can be proposed as one to one/group peer support, or through online platforms.

Conclusion. It can be said that Peer Support programs had an important development in the years of the Covid 19 pandemic. Many of the studies affirm that the personnel involved have benefited from the programs available. It is necessary to carry out further research to determine the pre and post intervention benefits.

References

Carvello M, Zanotti F, Rubbi I, Bacchetti S, Artioli G, Bonacaro A. Peer-support: a coping strategy for nurses working at the Emergency Ambulance Service. Acta Bio-Medica Atenei Parm. 2019 Nov 11;90(11-S):29–37.

Connors CA, Dukhanin V, March AL, Parks JA, Norvell M, Wu AW. Peer support for nurses as second victims: Resilience, burnout, and job satisfaction. J Patient Saf Risk Manag. 2020 Feb 1;25(1):22–8.

Woo T, Ho R, Tang A, Tam W. Global prevalence of burnout symptoms among nurses: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychiatr Res. 2020;123:9–20.

Anderson GS, Di Nota PM, Groll D, Carleton RN. Peer Support and Crisis-Focused Psychological Interventions Designed to Mitigate Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries among Public Safety and Frontline Healthcare Personnel: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Oct 20;17(20).

Clementi S. Il Peer Support in contesti sanitari: un’indagine esplorativa in tre reparti ospedalieri. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, 2018. Available from: http://tesionline.unicatt.it (Accessed on May, 24th, 2021)

Dennis CL. Peer support within a health care context: a concept analysis. Int J Nurs Stud. 2003 Mar ;40(3):321–32.

Organization WH. Milestones in health promotion: statements from global conferences. World Health Organization; 2009. Available from: http://who.int. Reference number: WHO/NMH/CHP/09.01. (Accessed on Sep, 8th, 2022)

Campbell J. The Historical and Philosophical Development of Peer-Run Support Programs. Our Own Together Peer Programs People Ment Illn. 2005;17–64.

Solomon P. Peer support/peer provided services underlying processes, benefits, and critical ingredients. Psychiatr Rehabil J. 2004;27(4):392–401.

Barbuto R., Ferrarese V., Griffo G., Napolitano E., Spinuso G. Consulenza alla pari. Da vittime della storia a protagonisti della vita. Comunità Edizioni, Lamezia Terme, 2012. p. 70, 89-92

Mead S, Hilton D, Curtis L. Peer support: a theoretical perspective. Psychiatr Rehabil J. 2001;25 (2):134–41.

Tolley JS, Foroushani PS. What do we know about one-to-one peer support for adults with a burn injury? A scoping review. J Burn Care Res Off Publ Am Burn Assoc. 2014 Jun;35(3):233–42.

Shapiro J, Galowitz P. Peer Support for Clinicians: A Programmatic Approach. Acad Med J Assoc Am Med Coll. 2016 Sep;91(9):1200–4.

Lane MA, Newman BM, Taylor MZ, et al. Supporting Clinicians After Adverse Events: Development of a Clinician Peer Support Program. J Patient Saf. 2018 Sep;14(3):e56–60.

Zuliani A., De Marzi K. Il peer supporter: un modello da conoscere e su cui riflettere. PdE Rivista di psicologia applicata all’emergenza, alla sicurezza e all’ambiente, 6, 2006, pp 4–7.

Vinson AE, Randel G. Peer support in anesthesia: turning war stories into wellness. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2018 Jun;31(3):382–7.

Wu AW, Connors C, Everly GSJ. COVID-19: Peer Support and Crisis Communication Strategies to Promote Institutional Resilience. Ann Intern Med. 2020 Jun 16;172(12):822–3.

Merandi J, Liao N, Lewe D, et al. Deployment of a Second Victim Peer Support Program: A Replication Study. Pediatr Qual Saf. 2017 Jun 21;2(4):e031.

Aromataris E, Munn Z (Editors). JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. JBI, 2020. [Internet]. Available from: https://synthesismanual.jbi.global. (Accessed on Sep, 29th, 2021)

Albott CS, Wozniak JR, McGlinch BP, Wall MH, Gold BS, Vinogradov S. Battle Buddies: Rapid Deployment of a Psychological Resilience Intervention for Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Anesth Analg. 2020 Jul;131(1):43–54.

Allen D, Spencer G, McEwan K, et al. The Schwartz Centre Rounds: supporting mental health workers with the emotional impact of their work. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2020;29(5):942–52.

Bridson TL, Jenkins K, Allen KG, McDermott BM. PPE for your mind: a peer support initiative for health care workers. Med J Aust. 2021 Jan;214(1):8-11.e1.

Villaruz Fisak JF, Turner BS, Shepard K, Convoy SP. Buddy Care, a Peer-to-Peer Intervention: A Pilot Quality Improvement Project to Decrease Occupational Stress Among an Overseas Military Population. Mil Med. 2020 Sep 18;185(9–10):e1428–34.

Mellins CA, Mayer LES, Glasofer DR, et al. Supporting the well-being of health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic: The CopeColumbia response. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2020 Dec;67:62–9.

Wang L, Tao H, Bowers BJ, Brown R, Zhang Y. Influence of Social Support and Self-Efficacy on Resilience of Early Career Registered Nurses. West J Nurs Res. 2018 May;40(5):648–64.

Donnelly PD, Davidson M, Dunlop N, et al. Well-Being During Coronavirus Disease 2019: A PICU Practical Perspective. Pediatr Crit Care Med J Soc Crit Care Med World Fed Pediatr Intensive Crit Care Soc. 2020 Aug;21(8):e584–6.

Pratt SD, Jachna BR. Care of the clinician after an adverse event. Int J Obstet Anesth. 2015 Feb;24(1):54–63.

Edrees H, Connors C, Paine L, Norvell M, Taylor H, Wu AW. Implementing the RISE second victim support programme at the Johns Hopkins Hospital: a case study. BMJ Open. 2016 Sep 30;6(9):e011708.

Connors C, Wu AW. RISE: An Organized Program to Support Health Care Workers. Qual Manag Health Care. 2020 Mar;29(1):48–9.

Garros D, Austin W, Dodek P. How Can I Survive This?: Coping During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic. Chest. 2021 Apr;159(4):1484–92.

Hu YY, Fix ML, Hevelone ND, et al. Physicians’ needs in coping with emotional stressors: the case for peer support. Arch Surg Chic Ill 1960. 2012 Mar;147(3):212–7.

Cronqvist A, Lützén K, Nyström M. Nurses’ lived experiences of moral stress support in the intensive care context. J Nurs Manag. 2006 Jul;14(5):405–13.

Winning AM, Merandi JM, Lewe D, et al. The emotional impact of errors or adverse events on healthcare providers in the NICU: The protective role of coworker support. J Adv Nurs. 2018 Jan;74(1):172–80.

Slykerman G, Wiemers MJ, Wyssusek KH. Peer support in anaesthesia: Development and implementation of a peer-support programme within the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine. Anaesth Intensive Care. 2019 Oct 29;47(6):497–502.

Klatt TE, Sachs JF, Huang CC, Pilarski AM. Building a Program of Expanded Peer Support for the Entire Health Care Team: No One Left Behind. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2021 Dec;47(12):759–67.

Dalton A. Mitigating burnout and enhancing wellness in anesthesiologists: individual interventions, wellness programs, and peer support. Int Anesthesiol Clin. 2021 Oct 1;59(4):73–80.

Keyser EA, Weir LF, Valdez MM, Aden JK, Matos RI. Extending Peer Support Across the Military Health System to Decrease Clinician Burnout. Mil Med. 2020.

Nadel AL, Barbach N, Fish JD. How I approach peer support in pediatric hematology/oncology. Pediatr Blood Cancer. agosto 2020;67(8):e28297.

Scott SD. The Pandemic’s Toll-A Case for Clinician Support. Mo Med. febbraio 2021;118(1):45–9.

Busch IM, Moretti F, Campagna I, et al. Promoting the Psychological Well-Being of Healthcare Providers Facing the Burden of Adverse Events: A Systematic Review of Second Victim Support Resources. Int J Environ Res Public Health [Internet]. 2021;18(10). Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/10/5080. (Accessed on Dec, 28th, 2021)

Schuster MA. Creating the Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplant Advancing Resiliency Team: A Nurse-Led Support Program for Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplant Staff. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs Off J Assoc Pediatr Oncol Nurses. 2021 Oct;38(5):331–41.

Sanchez LT, Candilis PJ, Arnstein F, et al. Effectiveness of a Unique Support Group for Physicians in a Physician Health Program. J Psychiatr Pract. 2016 Jan;22(1):56–63.

Gunasingam N, Burns K, Edwards J, Dinh M, Walton M. Reducing stress and burnout in junior doctors: the impact of debriefing sessions. Postgrad Med J. 2015 Apr;91(1074):182–7.

Calder-Sprackman S, Kumar T, Gerin-Lajoie C, Kilvert M, Sampsel K. Ice cream rounds: The adaptation, implementation, and evaluation of a peer-support wellness rounds in an emergency medicine resident training program. CJEM. 2018 Sep;20(5):777–80.

Peterson U, Bergström G, Samuelsson M, Asberg M, Nygren A. Reflecting peer-support groups in the prevention of stress and burnout: randomized controlled trial. J Adv Nurs. 2008 Sep;63(5):506–16.

Morrow E, Call M, Marcus R, Locke A. Focus on the Quadruple Aim: Development of a Resiliency Center to Promote Faculty and Staff Wellness Initiatives. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2018 May;44(5):293–8.

Pinks D, Warren-James M, Katsikitis M. Does a peer social support group intervention using the cares skills framework improve emotional expression and emotion-focused coping in paramedic students? Australas Emerg Care. 2021 Dec 1;24(4):308–13.

Macpherson CF. Peer-supported storytelling for grieving pediatric oncology nurses. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs Off J Assoc Pediatr Oncol Nurses. 2008 Jun;25(3):148–63.

Rubin EW, Rassman A. cAIR: Implementation of peer response support for frontline health care workers facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Soc Work Health Care. 2021;60(2):177–86.

Jenkins C, Oyebode J, Bicknell S, Webster N, Bentham P, Smythe A. Exploring newly qualified nurses’ experiences of support and perceptions of peer support online: A qualitative study. J Clin Nurs. 2021 Oct;30(19–20):2924–34.

David E, DePierro JM, Marin DB, Sharma V, Charney DS, Katz CL. COVID-19 Pandemic Support Programs for Healthcare Workers and Implications for Occupational Mental Health: A Narrative Review. Psychiatr Q. 2021 Oct 4;1–21.

Dungey G, Neser H, Sim D. New Zealand radiation therapist_perceptions of peer group supervision as a tool to reduce burnout symptoms in the clinical setting. J Med Radiat Sci. 2020;67:225–32.

Bruce SM, Conaglen HM, Conaglen JV. Burnout in physicians: a case for peer-support. Intern Med J. 2005 May;35(5):272–8.

Shapiro J, Whittemore A, Tsen LC. Instituting a culture of professionalism: the establishment of a center for professionalism and peer support. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2014 Apr;40(4):168–77.

Monaghan S, Bryson E, Phillips A, Nash P. 1413 Piloting a virtual ‘safe space’ for facilitated peer support discussion. Arch Dis Child. 2021;106(Suppl 1):A361–2.

Pereira L, Radovic T, Haykal KA. Peer support programs in the fields of medicine and nursing: a systematic search and narrative review. Can Med Educ J. 2021 Jun;12(3):113–25.

van Buschbach S, van der Meer CAI, Dijkman L, Olff M, Bakker A. Web-Based Peer Support Education Program for Health Care Professionals. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2020 Apr;46(4):227–31.