First Results of Peer Training for Medical Staff—Psychosocial Support through Peer Support in Health Care

Dominik Hinzmann, Marion Koll-Krüsmann (), Andrea Forster, Andreas Schießl, Andreas Igl and Susanne Katharina Heininger
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Dominik Hinzmann: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Klinikum Rechts der Isar of the TU Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany
Marion Koll-Krüsmann: Association for Psychosocial Competence and Support in Acute Care-PSU-Akut, 81373 Munich, Germany
Andrea Forster: Association for Psychosocial Competence and Support in Acute Care-PSU-Akut, 81373 Munich, Germany
Andreas Schießl: Association for Psychosocial Competence and Support in Acute Care-PSU-Akut, 81373 Munich, Germany
Andreas Igl: Association for Psychosocial Competence and Support in Acute Care-PSU-Akut, 81373 Munich, Germany
Susanne Katharina Heininger: Association for Psychosocial Competence and Support in Acute Care-PSU-Akut, 81373 Munich, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-15

Abstract: Background: In view of the increasing strain on health workers, psychosocial support measures are becoming more important. The core of a sustainable concept is the establishment of peer support teams. Two aspects are central: first, target group-specific training content, and second, suitable staff members who are trained as peers. The goal of the study was to obtain a first look at what content can be taught in peer training for medical staff, how the training is evaluated by the target group, and which people are interested in training from peers. Methods: During the period 2017–2022, Peer Training for medical staff was developed by a non-profit institution in Germany with state funding and the support of a medical professional association and evaluated during the project. Participants (N = 190) in the Peer Training course were interviewed in advance about their experiences and stresses at work using an anonymous questionnaire. After completing the training modules, the participants filled out an evaluation form. Results: The participants of the Peer Training were predominantly female (70.5%) and middle-aged (between 31 and 50 years old). Most (80.3%) experienced stressful events themselves, mostly without any preparation (93.5%) or follow-up (86.8%) by the employer. The participants estimate their workload in the medium range. The proportion of stressed individuals among the participants was below that of various comparison groups as available reference values. The training module itself was evaluated very positively. Conclusions: The content and framework parameters of the training were rated very well. There is a high degree of fit with the requirements in the health sector. The participants in the Peer Training seem to represent a good cross-section of the target group medical staff, also regarding their own experiences, seem to have a good psychological constitution and are therefore very suitable to work as peers after the training.

Keywords: employee health; peer support; peer training; peer mental health; prevention in the working environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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