PATH Program for Burnout

Overseen By Lisa Taylor, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: Chestnut Health Systems

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a program called PATH (Peer Advanced Training in Harm reduction), designed to help peer recovery support specialists (PRSS) reduce burnout and enhance their skills in harm reduction services. Harm reduction includes strategies to lessen the negative impacts of drug use, such as syringe services or outreach. The trial will evaluate whether PATH, which features online education and case discussions, can improve service quality and reduce worker stress. Individuals working at organizations that offer harm reduction services and are involved in direct service delivery might be well-suited for this trial. As a Phase 2 trial, this research focuses on measuring the effectiveness of the PATH program in an initial, smaller group, offering participants a chance to contribute to improving harm reduction services.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the PATH program is safe for participants?

Research on the PATH (Peer Advanced Training in Harm reduction) program has primarily examined its effectiveness in reducing burnout among peer recovery support specialists. However, specific information about its safety or potential side effects remains limited. Since the program involves education and consultation rather than medication or medical procedures, the risks are likely very low.

This trial is a Phase 2 study, indicating that earlier tests have demonstrated the program's safety and effectiveness, warranting further research. Phase 2 trials typically focus on refining the program and assessing its efficacy, suggesting that earlier studies have addressed any major safety concerns.

Overall, participating in PATH is likely low-risk, as it involves online education and case-based consultation rather than physical treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the PATH program because it focuses on a peer-based approach to tackle burnout, which is different from the usual reliance on individual interventions like therapy or medication. Unlike traditional methods that primarily target stress relief at the individual level, PATH emphasizes harm reduction through community support and peer training. This method holds promise for creating sustainable, supportive environments that can better prevent and manage burnout over time.

What evidence suggests that the PATH program is effective for reducing burnout?

Research has shown that the PATH program, which stands for Peer Advanced Training in Harm Reduction, might help reduce burnout among peer recovery support specialists. It uses online education and real-life case discussions to improve the quality of harm reduction services and support the workforce. Studies have demonstrated that similar training programs effectively reduce burnout by enhancing job skills and support systems. PATH aims to strengthen these areas, potentially leading to better outcomes for both workers and those they assist. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Dennis P Watson, PhD

Principal Investigator

Chestnut Health Systems

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for peer recovery support specialists (PRSS) who provide harm reduction services. It aims to help them improve their service delivery and reduce burnout. Participants should be currently active in the field of harm reduction.

Inclusion Criteria

Employed at a Recovery Community Organization or an organization providing direct harm reduction services, including syringe and/or outreach services

Current PRSS staff or administrator involved in HR service delivery

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

eLearning

Participants complete 3 hours of eLearning modules as part of the PATH intervention

1 month

Virtual participation

ECHO Meetings

Participants attend 8 weekly ECHO meetings, each lasting 1.5 hours, including presentations and case-based discussions

2 months

Virtual participation

Follow-up

Participants complete surveys and qualitative assessments to evaluate training satisfaction and impact

1 month

Virtual participation

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• PATH (Peer Advanced Training in Harm reduction)

Trial Overview The PATH intervention, which includes virtual education and case-based consultation, is being tested to see if it can enhance PRSS's ability to deliver harm reduction services and increase job satisfaction while reducing burnout.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: PATH pilot participants Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Receive PATH pilot intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Chestnut Health Systems

Lead Sponsor

Trials

27

Recruited

24,500+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07218562

PATH (Peer Advanced Training in Harm Reduction) to ... The investigators propose to develop and test the effectiveness of PATH (Peer Advanced Training in Harm reduction) as an educational workforce intervention ...

2. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/0w6K2fL1oUWihwS-LdtZwg/project-details/11056224

Project Details - NIH RePORTER Project Narrative This study aims to test PATH (Peer Advanced Training in Harm reduction) as a system-level workforce intervention for reducing burnout among ...

3. patlynk.com patlynk.com/trial/NCT07218562

Peer Burnout Reduction Intervention in Harm ... This study is designed to test a new program called PATH, aimed at reducing burnout among peer recovery support specialists (PRSS) working in Recovery Community ...

4. chestnut.org chestnut.org/li/research-and-evaluation-projects

Research & Evaluation Projects | Lighthouse Institute PATH (Peer Advanced Training in Harm reduction) is a workforce intervention that uses virtual education and case-based learning approaches to support PRSSs ...

5. harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-024-00948-5

BeHERE's effective virtual training to build capacity to support ... Among homeless services workers, supporting effective supervision practices and training has been shown to reduce burnout [12]. Moreover, the ...

6. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/J__WxEbKQkakJB0Vyyq9Xg/project-details/11056224

Project Details - NIH RePORTER Project Narrative This study aims to test PATH (Peer Advanced Training in Harm reduction) as a system-level workforce intervention for reducing burnout among ...

7. harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-024-01109-4

Navigating transitions into, through, and beyond peer worker ... This paper explores the sense-making involved in an intensive peer support worker role, adaptation to organisational culture, and engagement with opportunities ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955395925000246

Mapping the risk environment for peers with lived ... This study explores these environments and their implications for peer workers, particularly concerning stigma, legal barriers, and organisational culture.

9. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10882723/

Changes in harm reduction service providers professional ... This research study sought to quantify the emotional toll the toxicity emergency placed on HR providers (Cycle One; 2019).

10. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21650799231194623

Peer Support Programs to Reduce Organizational Stress ... Public safety workers are at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, infectious disease, musculoskeletal disorders, motor vehicle ...