By Jake Van Epps and Megan Call
Sep. 16, 2022 | 6 resources
Traumatic and stressful events will always be a part of health care. According to the US Department of Veteran Affairs鈥 , stressors can sometimes lead to emotional injuries that cause more persistent distress. Stress injuries can be caused by adverse events such as occupational traumas, patient loss, moral injuries, malpractice lawsuits, experiences of discrimination, and medication errors. If stress injuries are not attended to, they can lead to a loss of confidence in self or the institution, mental health concerns, and ultimately attrition in the workforce.
Research indicates that most caregivers prefer to receive support, both formally and informally, from colleagues over other sources like friends and families. Formal peer support programs provide a safe and confidential way for health care professionals to talk about their experience and receive emotional support from someone who has 鈥渂een there.鈥 A growing body of literature suggests that are multiple personal and institutional benefits from engaging in peer support following an adverse event.
The Resiliency Center for 麻豆学生精品版 uses a peer support model to provide increased institutional support for U of U Health employees during, or after, adverse clinical events and other stressful situations.
U of U Health Peer Support
Make a Referral to Peer Support
Offices including Risk Management and Patient Safety, leaders, and even colleagues can refer caregivers to the Peer Support Program.
Here at U of U Health, we utilize a three-tiered approach to supporting peers after they鈥檝e experienced adverse events.
The first tier is Local Peer Support. We teach as many people as possible the importance of listening to understand, not to fix, and the significance of validating emotions. We also provide our staff with additional resources to offer struggling colleagues.
Our second tier is the Peer Support Program, led by Peer Responders who have gone through similar experiences and have received training in processing and coping with trauma. Workers often prefer to confide in Peer Responders to avoid feeling judged or evaluated by direct colleagues.
The third tier, our Expedited Referral Network, is a collection of resources available to all employees. The collection includes The Resiliency Center, EAP and Psychiatry, and streamlines access to professional care for people who need support quickly.
For assistance navigating the peer support tiers, contact the Resiliency Center at resiliencycenter@hsc.utah.edu or 801-213-3403.
Peer Support Program Goals
The primary goals of the Peer Support Program are to facilitate psychological recovery and prevent subsequent disengagement, burnout, or other negative psychological ramifications following an adverse event. The objectives of the Peer Support Program are to:
- Assure support is available for scenarios in which psychological trauma is likely, such as cases involving children, instances of medical error, failure to rescue, first death experiences, unexpected patient demise, instances leading to permanent patient harm, and contentious litigation (or potential for such litigation).
- Train Peer Responders and provide them with their own ongoing system of support.
- Increase management team鈥檚 knowledge of secondary distress and improve their ability to address the symptoms of secondary distress.
- Provide system-wide guidance and support to UUH employees to ensure a safe environment and assist all faculty, staff, trainees and students in remaining trusted and productive members of the health care team.
Peer Responders are trained volunteers nominated from within the UUH provider community, who are willing to give confidential support and encouragement to members of the health care team and trainees.
Tools
Elevating Employee Support: The Role of Peer Support Training
Jake Van Epps, Director of Peer Support Programs, and Jessica Rivera, Director of Environmental Services, share about the peer support training program and how it has given the Environmental Services team new tools to care for one another.
Assess Your Stress
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How to Recover from Adverse Events
Health care workers experience trauma every day in multiple ways, making it difficult to fully recover. Explore these tips for recovering and supporting your colleagues through adverse events.
Coping with Trauma in Health Care: A Guide for Caregivers
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Coping with Medical Error: Secondary Trauma
We strive for perfection in the care we provide, but, despite our best efforts, errors do happen鈥損atients do get hurt. While initial concerns correctly turn to caring for the patient, we need to also address the feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety that care providers feel when things go wrong.
Using Emotion Coaching to Build a Peer Support Culture
Emotion coaching is a skill that can help validate a person鈥檚 experience鈥攂ut it takes practice. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to use this important skill with patients, co-workers, family members and friends.
How to Have a Conversation with a Colleague About Suicide
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How to Respond with Compassion when Someone is Hurt by Racism
Racism isn鈥檛 something that happens 鈥渟omewhere else鈥濃攊t happens everywhere. Review these two scenarios that reflect common dynamics and recommendations for a compassionate and constructive response.
Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work
Navigating the complex terrain of leadership involves fostering a workplace where team members flourish, but the path isn't always clear. Learn how you can create a culture of belonging on your team, and how your EDI Consultant can help you do it.
Maybe It's Not PTSD, But It's Not Nothing
Sometimes people hear 鈥渢rauma鈥 and they immediately associate it with a long-term mental illness like PTSD, instead it could be a stress injury. This article shares the importance of tending to stress injuries as a result of prolonged pandemic strain.
Grief Support Groups for Your Patients: A Place of Hope and Comfort
Many people run away from loss and grief, rather than embracing it. Explore how to heal through compassionate support systems, evidence-based training, and emotional validation.
Contributors
Jake Van Epps
