Establishing a formal peer support network in a children's health care system: Structure and results

Abstract

Background

Burnout may lead to increased medical errors, which increases burnout and decreases quality of care. Peer support programs have evolved into key well-being initiatives.

Methods

We describe the structural design and initial three-year experience of a peer support program across a children's health care system. To assess the program's impact, our biannual patient safety culture survey quantified how often staff were offered support after adverse events, and survey data were used to test associations between being offered support and incidence of burnout and safety culture ratings.

Results

Our program launched in 2020 within our Center for Associate Well-Being. We partner with our quality and safety (Q&S) team for direct referrals after potential harm events. There have been 331 referrals. Overall, 31% were self-initiated, 28% were from an organizational leader, and 23% were from Q&S. Top three reasons for referrals were adverse patient event/outcome (48%), work stress (20%), and personal stress (23%). Most referrals resulted in peer support being provided (58%). Staff who reported emotional distress after harm events and were offered peer support had lower burnout rates than those who were not offered support (63% vs 75%; p < 0.01) and were more likely to rate patient safety culture higher overall (3.60 vs 3.19; p < 0.0001) and in their local unit/work area (3.68 vs 3.34; p = 0.001).

Conclusion

We described the successful implementation of a pediatric health care systemwide peer support program across a children's health care system with significant positive impact on burnout and safety culture.