Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Peer Support Program for Trauma Survivors

Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Peer Support Program for Trauma Survivors

Traumatic injuries from events like car crashes, falls, or fires are a leading cause of disability. Survivors often face not only physical challenges but also long-lasting pain, mental health challenges and difficulty returning to work and family life. Although medical care focuses on physical recovery, survivors frequently report that their emotional and social needs are overlooked and unmet.

Peer support-guidance from people who have lived through similar injuries-can reduce distress and improve coping. However, no programs in Canada currently provide peer support to trauma survivors across their recovery journey, from hospital to rehabilitation to community living.

The investigators worked with trauma survivors, caregivers, and healthcare providers to co-design a Peer Support Program (PSP) that offers support throughout these stages. This pilot study will test whether the program is feasible and acceptable, and explore its early impact on recovery. Results will guide a future larger trial to expand peer support in trauma care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• adult patients (18 years+) who have experienced an unintentional traumatic injury resulting in hospitalization at Sunnybrook and who will be discharged to inpatient rehabilitation at St. John's Rehab after acute care.
• must be able to communicate in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients who experienced: a) an intentional self-harm injury (because self-harm suggests a history of mental health issues prior to the trauma requiring specific psychiatric supports)
• patients who experienced: an injury caused by an intimate partner (because these injuries are typically underpinned by chronic exposure to domestic violence which requires interventions that promote patient safety and interrupt the pattern of violence)
• patients who experienced: a violently-acquired injury (as this patient population already receives specific clinical and social support through Sunnybrook's BReAking the Cycle of Violence with Empathy (BRAVE) program).
• patients with substantial cognitive impairment and a history of substance misuse if their HCPs indicate that either condition will impede the their ability to provide informed consent and/or participate safely in the trial