Protocol for a feasibility study of a peer support program for trauma survivors.

backgroundMany survivors of traumatic injuries (serious nervous, visceral, bone, and vascular damage due to motor vehicle collisions, falls, sports injuries, electrocution, and fires) also experience mental health issues such as emotional distress, anxiety, and depression. It has been widely accepted that the integration of peers into psychosocial interventions for traumatic injury survivors would provide similar outcomes as cognitive behavioral therapy, while having the benefit of peer lived experience. However, a peer support intervention for trauma survivors has yet to be trialed for feasibility and implemented across the care continuum. Thus, we collaborated with trauma survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) to co-design a cross-continuum peer support program (PSP) that we are ready to pilot. The purpose of the study is to (1) assess the acceptability, feasibility, and satisfactoriness of the PSP; (2) evaluate the preliminary impact of the PSP on trauma patients' health and social outcomes; and (3) explore the impact of the PSP on clinical practice, administrative procedures, and patient care.

methodsFeasibility will be determined based on study recruitment, adherence, and retention. Participants will complete outcome surveys at baseline, 1-month post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. A Repeated Measures ANOVA will be exploratorily used to assess outcome scores at each time point. Qualitative interviews will be completed after the study to explore the acceptability, satisfactoriness, and feasibility of the program. HCPs and TPSs will participate in focus groups to provide insight into the administrative, clinical, and patient care impacts of the PSP. We plan to recruit n = 8-10 Trained Peer Supporters; n = 30 trauma survivors (n = 10-25 to participate in post-intervention qualitative interviews); and n = 15 healthcare professionals (HCPs). DISCUSSION: Based on our existing data and supporting literature, there is strong evidence for the need for a PSP that spans the care continuum and is led by individuals with injury experience. Similar studies conducted with other rehab populations have seen great success with peer support initiatives including the amelioration of psychosocial health and well-being outcomes. Our feasibility trial has the potential to demonstrate that a cross-continuum PSP for trauma survivors is not only feasible, but also successful in reducing the potential adverse psychosocial health outcomes related to traumatic injuries.

trial registrationThis trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, registration number NCT07275892 , on December 10th, 2025.