PeerOnCall: Implementing and Evaluating App-Based Peer Support in Canadian Fire Services
NCT ID: NCT07199387
Last Updated: 2025-10-03
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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NOT_YET_RECRUITING
NA
2000 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2025-10-31
2027-10-31
Brief Summary
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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.
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Detailed Description
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Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
PREVENTION
DOUBLE
Study Groups
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App Users (Structured Implementation)
All participating organizations will receive access to PeerOnCall, a mobile mental health and peer support platform co-designed by and for Canadian public safety providers (PSP) that includes: a) an app for frontline workers, b) an app for peer support providers, and c) an administrative portal for organizational leaders. The structured implementation (intervention) group will follow a structured protocol designed to promote weekly app engagement.
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.
App Users (Standard Implementation)
All participating organizations will receive access to PeerOnCall, a mobile mental health and peer support platform co-designed by and for Canadian public safety providers (PSP) that includes: a) an app for frontline workers, b) an app for peer support providers, and c) an administrative portal for organizational leaders. The standard implementation (control) group will receive baseline support, allowing firefighters to use the app as they choose.
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.
Interventions
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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.
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.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* 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
18 Years
70 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
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McMaster University
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Sandra Moll
Professor
Locations
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20 Fire Service Organizations across Canada
Hamilton, , Canada
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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References
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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. doi: 10.2196/48504.
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.
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.
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.
Voth M, Chisholm S, Sollid H, Jones C, Smith-MacDonald L, Bremault-Phillips S. Correction: Efficacy, Effectiveness, and Quality of Resilience-Building Mobile Health Apps for Military, Veteran, and Public Safety Personnel Populations: Scoping Literature Review and App Evaluation. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2023 Aug 28;11:e51609. doi: 10.2196/51609.
Curran GM, Bauer M, Mittman B, Pyne JM, Stetler C. Effectiveness-implementation hybrid designs: combining elements of clinical effectiveness and implementation research to enhance public health impact. Med Care. 2012 Mar;50(3):217-26. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0b013e3182408812.
Johnson, C. C., Vega, L., Kohalmi, A. L., Roth, J. C., Howell, B. R., & Van Hasselt, V. B. (2020). Enhancing mental health treatment for the firefighter population: Understanding fire culture, treatment barriers, practice implications, and research directions. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 51(3), 304-311. https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000266
Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (Nov 2024). The State of Fire and Emergency services in Canada: Results of the great Canadian Fire census 2024. Ottawa: CAFC
Carleton, R. N., Afifi, T. O., Turner, S., Taillieu, T., LeBouthillier, D. M., Duranceau, S., Sareen, J., Ricciardelli, R., MacPhee, R. S., Groll, D., Hozempa, K., Brunet, A., Weekes, J. R., Griffiths, C. T., Abrams, K. J., Jones, N. A., Beshai, S., Cramm, H. A., Dobson, K. S., . . . Asmundson, G. J. G. (2018). Suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts among public safety personnel in Canada.Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne, 59(3), 220-231. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000136
MacDermid JC, Lomotan M, Hu MA. Canadian Career Firefighters' Mental Health Impacts and Priorities. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Dec 1;18(23):12666. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182312666.
Carleton RN, Afifi TO, Turner S, Taillieu T, Duranceau S, LeBouthillier DM, Sareen J, Ricciardelli R, MacPhee RS, Groll D, Hozempa K, Brunet A, Weekes JR, Griffiths CT, Abrams KJ, Jones NA, Beshai S, Cramm HA, Dobson KS, Hatcher S, Keane TM, Stewart SH, Asmundson GJG. Mental Disorder Symptoms among Public Safety Personnel in Canada. Can J Psychiatry. 2018 Jan;63(1):54-64. doi: 10.1177/0706743717723825. Epub 2017 Aug 28.
Related Links
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PeerOnCall Research Website
Other Identifiers
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204097
Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT
Identifier Source: secondary_id
204097
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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