Web-Based Peer Support Education Program for Health Care Professionals

Background: Health care professionals can routinely face potential critical incidents in the workplace, which can cause high levels of occupational distress and mental health problems. Peer support, in which a trained colleague provides psychosocial support after a work-related critical incident, is an early intervention strategy to support health care professionals. This study describes the development and evaluation of an innovative new online program to educate peer supporters. Methods: An interactive Web-based peer support education program (e-learning Peer Support) was developed to teach health care professionals the theory of peer support in preparation for face-to-face training (hybrid learning). User acceptance was determined with a 21-item online survey and technical user data. Results: Forty-four health care professionals completed the e-learning Peer Support and the online evaluation survey. Participants were nurses (68.2%), physicians (18.2%), residents (6.8%), and staff (6.8%). The e-learning was well received and positively evaluated with regard to all studied indicators of acceptance, including perceived usefulness, ease of use, actual use, and effectivity. All participants would recommend the e-learning to future trainees. Conclusion: The e-learning is a valuable addition to the theoretical peer support training curriculum. Future steps include implementing the e-learning as a yearly continuing education meeting, as a clinical lecture, or as part of the standard curriculum for health care professionals in medical training. Developments like this e-learning may contribute to a standardized training method and, eventually, the implementation of peer support programs.