RISE Peer Support for Emotional Distress

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Albert W Wu, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University

Disqualifiers: Age less than 18

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how a peer support program called RISE (Resilience In Stressful Events) can assist health care workers (HCWs) facing stressful situations at work. The aim is to determine if peer support can improve the well-being and resilience of HCWs outside hospital settings. The trial will test the program in various organizations, comparing those who start the program early with those who start later. Health care workers at participating sites who feel stressed or emotionally drained from their work might be well-suited for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance support systems for health care workers.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What prior data suggests that the RISE peer support program is safe for health care workers?

Research has shown that the RISE (Resilience In Stressful Events) peer support program helps healthcare workers manage stress more effectively. Studies indicate it provides "psychological first aid and emotional support" for those in challenging work situations. Johns Hopkins Hospital initiated this program, and it has helped healthcare workers feel less burned out.

As a support system rather than a medication, there is limited information on side effects. However, its use in hospitals suggests it is likely well-received. Available studies have not reported any major negative effects. The program aims to enhance well-being and resilience among healthcare workers, offering a safe option for those needing emotional support. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the RISE peer support program because it offers a novel approach to addressing emotional distress by leveraging peer support rather than traditional therapies like medication or one-on-one counseling. Unlike typical treatments that often require professional intervention, RISE empowers individuals through shared experiences and mutual support, fostering resilience in a community setting. The program's flexibility, with options for early or later participation, allows for personalized timing, which could enhance its effectiveness and accessibility. By focusing on peer interaction and community-building, RISE could offer a more relatable and immediate source of support for those dealing with stress, making it a promising alternative or complement to existing treatments.

What evidence suggests that the RISE peer support program is effective for improving the well-being of health care workers?

Research shows that the RISE (Resilience In Stressful Events) peer support program aids healthcare workers by providing emotional support and basic psychological help. Studies have found that RISE can prevent burnout, defined as extreme physical and emotional exhaustion, by offering 24/7 peer support for work-related stress. Johns Hopkins Hospital has successfully implemented the program, helping healthcare leaders support their staff's resilience and well-being. This trial will compare two implementations of the RISE program: the "RISE Early" arm, where the program is available early, and the "RISE Late" arm, where it is available later. This support system aims to enhance healthcare workers' quality of life and, consequently, the quality of care they provide. The program's success in hospitals suggests it could also benefit workers in other healthcare settings. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Albert W Wu

Principal Investigator

Johns Hopkins University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthcare workers employed at certain health care sites or organizations, aiming to support their resilience and well-being. It's not open to those under the age of 18.

Inclusion Criteria

Health care worker employed at participating implementation health care site/organization

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 18 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Implementation

Adapt and implement the RISE peer support program and MESH collaborative model in various healthcare settings

1 year

Ongoing support and training sessions

Evaluation

Evaluate the program's effect on the culture of wellbeing, and the resilience and well-being of HCW through surveys and focus groups

2 years

3 survey timepoints and multiple focus groups

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in resilience, well-being, and anxiety levels post-implementation

1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Resilience In Stressful Events (RISE) peer support team

Trial Overview The study tests a peer support program called RISE, designed to help healthcare workers cope with work-related stress. The goal is to see if this improves their overall well-being and the culture within various healthcare settings.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: RISE Early Active Control 1 Intervention

RISE peer support program available early, launched study year 1

Group II: RISE Late Active Control 1 Intervention

RISE peer support program available later, launched study year 2

Resilience In Stressful Events (RISE) peer support team is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as RISE for:

• Support for healthcare workers experiencing stressful patient-related events

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Johns Hopkins University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,366

Recruited

15,160,000+

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Collaborator

Trials

88

Recruited

152,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Adverse events in hospital nursing units are linked to increased burnout among nurses, indicating that these incidents have broader negative impacts beyond just the patients involved.

The relationship between adverse events and nurse burnout is stronger when nurses have a high sense of workgroup identification, but this effect can be reduced if the safety climate in the workplace is perceived as positive.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse Events and Burnout: The Moderating Effects of Workgroup Identification and Safety Climate. Vogus, TJ., Ramanujam, R., Novikov, Z., et al.[2021]

Family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease often face significant emotional challenges, which can negatively affect their quality of life, highlighting the need for support.

Peer supporters can effectively address the emotional and practical needs of these caregivers, suggesting that collaboration between nurses and peer support specialists could enhance caregiver well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Care2Caregivers: A Retrospective Examination of Needs Addressed and Services Provided by a Peer Support Helpline. Zechner, M., Lundquist, MC., Swarbrick, M., et al.[2021]

A peer-to-peer support program implemented at a pediatric medical center trained 125 supporters and received 2187 referrals, demonstrating its feasibility in addressing healthcare worker burnout.

Survey results showed that 71.8% of frontline clinicians found the program valuable, and 81.3% recommended it for those involved in adverse and stressful events, indicating its effectiveness in mitigating emotional distress.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of a Peer-to-Peer Support Program in a Quaternary Pediatric Medical Center. Simpson, SL., Khan, S., Schiferl, LM., et al.[2023]

This study outlines a rigorous 2 × 2 factorial randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of one-to-one peer support and group reminiscence programs for family carers and individuals with dementia, addressing a gap in previous research.

By testing both individual and group interventions, the trial aims to provide valuable insights into how these peer support strategies can improve the wellbeing of carers and the people they support, potentially leading to better psychosocial intervention designs in the future.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer support for family carers of people with dementia, alone or in combination with group reminiscence in a factorial design: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Charlesworth, G., Burnell, K., Beecham, J., et al.[2021]

The 'Buddy Study' program, which includes a seminar and peer support for healthcare professionals after adverse events, received positive feedback from participants, with 91.6% satisfied with the seminar content and 69.1% feeling it helped them manage their emotional responses.

The program fostered a compassionate culture and attentiveness to colleagues' wellbeing, although it highlighted the need for ongoing support and visibility to maintain its effectiveness, suggesting that while valuable, peer support should complement other forms of support rather than replace them.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of'the Buddy Study', a peer support program for second victims in healthcare: a survey in two Danish hospital departments. Schrøder, K., Bovil, T., Jørgensen, JS., et al.[2022]

The RISE program, designed to support hospital staff in coping with stressful events, resulted in a net monetary benefit of approximately $22,576 per nurse who utilized the program, indicating its effectiveness in reducing costs associated with nurse turnover and time off.

Overall, the implementation of the RISE program could save hospitals around $1.81 million annually, highlighting the financial advantages of providing peer-support programs for medical staff.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Support Program for Nursing Staff. Moran, D., Wu, AW., Connors, C., et al.[2021]

Peer support interventions for individuals with rare or young onset dementia have been shown to be valuable, with studies indicating that these programs can enhance social support, whether they are hospital-based or community-based.

The review highlighted a need for better conceptualization and evaluation of peer support interventions, suggesting that more effective models and strategies are necessary to improve dementia care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer support for people living with rare or young onset dementia: An integrative review. Sullivan, MP., Williams, V., Grillo, A., et al.[2022]

Both professionally led and peer-led support groups significantly improved psychological functioning and informal support networks for participants compared to control groups.

Professionally led groups showed the most substantial improvements in psychological functioning, while peer-led groups excelled in enhancing informal support networks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effectiveness of peer-led and professionally led groups to support family caregivers. Toseland, RW., Rossiter, CM., Labrecque, MS.[2019]

A pilot project involving a Peer Support Network (PSN) for 20 nurses showed significant improvements in compassion satisfaction (CS) after 6 weeks, indicating that such support can enhance nurses' emotional well-being.

While compassion fatigue (CF) did not show statistically significant improvement, the PSN may help in preventing its negative effects, suggesting that peer support can be beneficial in reducing the risks associated with work-related stress in nursing.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementing a Peer Support Network to Promote Compassion Without Fatigue. Wahl, C., Hultquist, TB., Struwe, L., et al.[2018]

The RISE peer support program at Johns Hopkins Hospital showed effectiveness in increasing awareness and utilization of support structures for health care workers dealing with stressful patient-related events, with 93% of respondents recommending the program.

Barriers to the program's success included a blame culture, the need for better promotion of the initiative, and insufficient staff time to address adverse events, highlighting the importance of organizational culture in implementing support programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Case: A Second Victim Support Program in Pediatrics: Successes and Challenges to Implementation. Dukhanin, V., Edrees, HH., Connors, CA., et al.[2021]

The web-based peer support intervention for informal caregivers of military service members was used infrequently, with over 60% of participants visiting the site once a month or less, but most users reported moderate to high satisfaction, primarily using it for informational support.

Participants expressed a strong need for emotional support and preferred more active engagement with other caregivers, suggesting that while the online platform is helpful, it should be complemented with in-person support groups to better address emotional needs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Informal Caregivers' Experiences and Perceptions of a Web-Based Peer Support Network: Mixed-Methods Study. Vaughan, C., Trail, TE., Mahmud, A., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11639878/

The RISE (Resilience in Stressful Events) Peer Support ... RISE helps break the cycle of healthcare worker burnout by providing peer support for stresses at work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2. hopkinsmedicine.org hopkinsmedicine.org/armstrong-institute/training-services/caring-for-the-caregiver

Caring for the Caregiver: The RISE Program The RISE program guides hospitals to set up peer-responder programs providing psychological first aid and emotional support to healthcare professionals after ...

3. publichealth.jhu.edu publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-health-services-outcomes-research/research/patient-safety/rise-resilience-in-stressful-events

RISE – Resilience In Stressful Events This project is evaluating the Johns Hopkins Hospital peer-support program to provide psychological first aid and emotional support to health care workers.

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/386586894_The_RISE_Resilience_in_Stressful_Events_Peer_Support_Program_Creating_a_Virtuous_Cycle_of_Healthcare_Leadership_Support_for_Staff_Resilience_and_Well-Being

(PDF) The RISE (Resilience in Stressful Events) Peer ... This paper describes how the Johns Hopkins Resilience In Stressful Events (RISE) peer support program has helped healthcare leaders support their workers.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5051469/

Implementing the RISE second victim support programme ... The RISE (Resilience In Stressful Events) programme was developed at the Johns Hopkins Hospital to provide this support.

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39679177/?dopt=Abstract

The RISE (Resilience in Stressful Events) Peer Support ... This paper describes how the Johns Hopkins Resilience In Stressful Events (RISE) peer support program has helped healthcare leaders support ...