Feasibility study for a peer support program for early career community pharmacists focusing on understanding and managing the emotional impact of significant events – Protocol for a longitudinal study
University of South Australia
56 participants
Jan 2, 2024
Interventional
Conditions
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether it is feasible for Early Career Pharmacists (ECPs) in Australia to take part in an online peer support program. The program is inspired by Hand-N-Hand Peer Support, an initiative originally created for medical personnel in 2020. In the future, it is hoped that more in-depth studies will be conducted to trial the efficacy of such a program as well. If deemed feasible and effective, an aim is for the pharmacy profession to adapt a similar model to boost morale and maintain employee retention.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria2
- Less than ten years of experience working under general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia
- Currently employed in an Australian community pharmacy
Exclusion Criteria4
- Undergraduate pharmacy students and intern pharmacists
- Pharmacists with more than ten years of experience working with general registration
- Pharmacists who are not currently working in community pharmacy, including those who are currently on extended periods of leave eg parental leave
- Any participants who are exhibiting active symptoms of severe, unmanaged mental illness including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Interested in this trial?
Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.
Interventions
Participants randomly allocated to the intervention group will be invited to take part in monthly peer support meetings, which will take place online via Zoom. These meetings are expected to last between 45 and 60 minutes in duration, and will occur on a monthly basis for twelve months in total. Each group will contain a peer support facilitator who has been trained via Hand-N-Hand Peer Support prior to commencement of the study. There will be six participants in total in each group, including the facilitator. The content of the meetings will be guided by the facilitator, but is expected to be centered around workplace practices, relationships and stress. Adherence will be noted from meeting attendance. It is recommended that participants attend all meetings, but ultimately these are voluntary and the choice to engage in or attend each meeting will be at the discretion of each individual participant. The Hand-N-Hand Peer Support training completed by facilitators consists of an online training session run by the organisation that takes places over three hours.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ANZCTR
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
ACTRN12624000053527