Implementation and evaluation of a psychological first aid program to manage post-traumatic stress injuries among Canadian police officers.

backgroundPolice officers are exposed to potentially psychological traumatic events and are at high risk of developing post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI). Development and wide implementation of best practices for managing PTSI are needed. The psychological first aid (PFA) framework encompasses trauma-informed knowledge to guide the development of best practices. Based on the framework and on a pilot performed among Canadian police officers, we propose a PFA program including: 1) PTSI awareness e-learning; 2) PFA training provided by local trainers; and, 3) peer-to-peer PFA intervention to mitigate PTSI in police officers. The study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a large-scale PFA program implementation among Canadian police officers.

methodsA multi-phase mixed-methods participatory action research study is being performed in five phases according to the PFA implementation and the dynamic sustainability frameworks. The program 1) was adapted to environmental needs; 2) is progressively deployed; and, to be evaluated for 3) feasibility; 4) effectiveness; and, 5) sustainability. Local trainers (N = 10) were trained to then train PFA providers (N = 322 police officers) who could then administer the intervention to police officers as needed (i.e., PFA recipients). The e-learning is being co-developed and will be disseminated. Program feasibility (i.e., acceptability, demand, practicality, implementation) will be assessed through interviews with trainers (n = 10), providers (n = 30), and recipients (n = 20). The program effectiveness will be assessed by tracking changes in PTSI literacy and stigma among officers who complete the e-learning (n = 5700) using pre-post e-learning questionnaires. Pre-post training questionnaires with participating providers (n = 175) will track perceived competence to provide the intervention. Pre-post intervention questionnaires with recipients (n = 64) will track changes in putative protective factors (i.e., professional quality of life, work safety, coping, sense of efficacy, sense of hope) and symptoms of PTSI (i.e., anxiety-, depressive-, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms). DISCUSSION: The PFA program is designed to help officers to recognize PTSI, promote self-care strategies and help-seeking, enhance organizational support, and expand psychological support. The study could provide trauma-informed guidelines for implementation and evaluation practices in high-risk and interdependent organizations and inform future directions for policy decisions.

trial registrationThe study was pre-registered on OSF ( https://osf.io/7khgs/?view_only=33260c704ffc46ffb75a704320283ccf ).