International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 7 authors, 3 centres
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This qualitative study evaluated a psychosocial peer support program for health care workers during COVID-19, finding it shifts organizational culture and teaches support skills, but limitations include self-selection bias and overrepresentation of certain staff.
Health care workers in the U.S. experience high burnout rates, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating psychosocial peer support programs. The study evaluates a Care for Caregivers (CFC) program at a university health care system. Methods: A qualitative evaluation using semi-structured interviews with 18 participants (Peer Caregivers and Managers) was conducted. A total of 23 interviews were performed, with 5 participants interviewed twice and 13 once. Thematic analysis was used, with inter-rater reliability of 0.77. Key Results: The CFC program was found to shift organizational culture, teach skills for recognizing and supporting distressed colleagues, and support those already providing informal support. Staff distress was primarily attributed to external factors (e.g., work-life integration, pandemic-related stress) and secondarily to internal organizational stressors (e.g., workload, understaffing). Challenges included skepticism, confidentiality concerns, and the need for organizational changes. Limitations: Self-selection bias due to volunteer sampling, overrepresentation of faculty clinical practice employees, and some participants interviewed only once. Implications: The program is feasible and potentially impactful for addressing staff burnout, but requires broader systemic changes within health care systems to improve and sustain staff well-being. Future research should focus on short-term and long-term impacts.
