PeerOnCall: Implementing and Evaluating App-Based Peer Support in Canadian Fire Services
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: App Users (Structured Implementation), App Users (Standard Implementation).
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Firefighters. Basic parameters: 18 years — 70 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Canada
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
PeerOnCall: A Cluster Randomized Trial of a Peer Support Mobile Health Platform in Canadian Fire Service Organizations
Overview
The goal of this clinical trial is to test how best to implement a mobile peer support app called PeerOnCall in Canadian fire services. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Do firefighters use the app more with a structured implementation compared to standard implementation? 2. Does using the app improve mental health and workplace outcomes? Researchers will compare a standard implementation approach with basic onboarding to more structured implementation with weekly reminders, new content, and feedback reports to see if these features encourage more consistent app use. Participants will: 1. Use the PeerOnCall app to access private peer support and wellness resources. 2. Participate in surveys, interviews, and focus groups about their app experience and workplace environment.
Interventions
- Other App Users (Structured Implementation)
The structured implementation (intervention) group will follow a structured protocol designed to promote weekly app engagement. This includes regular updates to customized content, reminders to use the app, and feedback on use. Weekly content updates and push notifications will be provided through the app, and the research team will communicate monthly with organizational champions with feedback reports on app utilization to reinforce engagement. - Other App Users (Standard Implementation)
The standard implementation (control) group will receive baseline support, allowing firefighters to use the app as they choose. The research team will provide an initial orientation for organizations and peer supporters, but the organizational champion will be responsible for communication and follow-up. The research team will respond to questions and prompt data collection.
Primary outcome measures
- Change from Baseline Score on the Mental Health Continuum at 1 year [Time frame: From Baseline to the end of implementation at 1-year]
- App Engagement (App Opens) [Time frame: From enrolment to the end of implementation at 1-year]
- App Engagement (Peer Support Outreach) [Time frame: From enrolment to the end of implementation at 1-year]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Change from Baseline Score on the WLQ-F at 1 year [Time frame: From Baseline to the end of implementation at 1-year]
- Mental Health Absenteeism [Time frame: From enrolment to the end of implementation at 1-year]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Must be a working aged adult (18-70)
- Must be employed in a participating Canadian Fire Service organization
- Agree to download the PeerOnCall app to their mobile phone (iPhone or Android)
Exclusion criteria
\- Not able to access app on their smart device
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
Study locations
Canada · 1 center
- 20 Fire Service Organizations across Canada — Hamilton
Publications
- Moll SE, Patten S, Stuart H, MacDermid JC, Kirsh B. Beyond Silence: A Randomized, Parallel-Group Trial Exploring the Impact of Workplace Mental Health Literacy Training with Healthcare Employees. Can J Psychiatry. 2018 Dec;63(12):826-833. doi: 10.1177/0706743718766051. Epub 2018 Apr 19. PMID 29673271
- Lesage FX, Berjot S, Deschamps F. Clinical stress assessment using a visual analogue scale. Occup Med (Lond). 2012 Dec;62(8):600-5. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqs140. Epub 2012 Sep 10. PMID 22965867
- Dutheil F, Palgen C, Brousse G, Cornet T, Mermillod M, Lakbar I, Vallet G, Baker JS, Schmidt J, Charbotel B, Pereira B, Delamarre L. Validation of visual analog scales of mood and anxiety at the workplace. PLoS One. 2024 Dec 31;19(12):e0316159. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316159. eCollection 2024. PMID 39739967
- Moll SE, Ricciardelli R, Carleton RN, MacDermid JC, Czarnuch S, MacPhee RS. PeerOnCall: Evaluating Implementation of App-Based Peer Support in Canadian Public Safety Organizations. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Aug 13;22(8):1269. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22081269. PMID 40869854
- Raggi A, Bernard RM, Toppo C, Sabariego C, Salvador Carulla L, Lukersmith S, Hakkaart-van Roijen L, Merecz-Kot D, Olaya B, Antunes Lima R, Gutierrez-Marin D, Vorstenbosch E, Curatoli C, Cacciatore M. The EMPOWER Occupational e-Mental Health Intervention Implementation Checklist to Foster e-Mental Health Interventions in the Workplace: Development Study. J Med Internet Res. 2024 Mar 15;26:e48504. d PMID 38488846
- Goraya NK, Alvarez E, Young M, Moll S. PeerOnCall: Exploring how organizational culture shapes implementation of a peer support app for public safety personnel. Compr Psychiatry. 2024 Nov;135:152524. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2024.152524. Epub 2024 Aug 12. PMID 39146608
- Damschroder LJ, Reardon CM, Widerquist MAO, Lowery J. The updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research based on user feedback. Implement Sci. 2022 Oct 29;17(1):75. doi: 10.1186/s13012-022-01245-0. PMID 36309746
- Howarth A, Quesada J, Silva J, Judycki S, Mills PR. The impact of digital health interventions on health-related outcomes in the workplace: A systematic review. Digit Health. 2018 May 10;4:2055207618770861. doi: 10.1177/2055207618770861. eCollection 2018 Jan-Dec. PMID 29942631
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07199387 · 204097 · 204097