Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Human Factors
Date Submitted: Jun 28, 2022
Date Accepted: Jan 19, 2023
Introduction to the Co-Production of Supervision Standards for Digital Peer Support: A Qualitative Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Digital peer support may show longevity past the COVID-19 era. In April 2020, a survey of 180 peer support specialists from 23 states found a 95% increase in peer support specialists offering digital peer support and a 90% increase in peer support specialists’ confidence in digital peer support.
Objective:
The purpose of this study is to inform the development of supervision standards for digital peer support and introduce guidelines that supervisors can utilize to support, guide, and develop competencies in digital peer support specialists.
Methods:
The analysis of digital peer support supervision standards was based on four, one hour focus groups with peer support specialists (n= 59). The focus group discussions were recorded digitally, transcribed, and anonymized. Researchers analyzed the data using Rapid and Rigorous Qualitative Data Analysis (RADar).
Results:
51 codes and a set of eleven themes were identified relating to the development of supervision standards for digital peer support. The eleven themes in order of most frequent to least frequent included: 1) education on technology competency, 2) education on privacy, security, and confidentiality in digital devices and platforms, 3) education on peer support competencies and how they relate to digital peer support, 4) administrative guidelines, 5) education on the digital delivery of peer support, 6) education on technology access, 7) supervisor support of work-life balance, 8) emotional support (emerging), 9) administrative documentation (emerging), 10) education on suicide and crisis intervention (emerging), and 11) feedback (emerging).
Conclusions:
Currently, supervision standards from SAMHSA for in-person peer support include the categories of administrative, educative, and supportive functions. However, the spread of digital peer support during the COVID-19 pandemic requires the expansion of supervision standards to include subthemes such as education on technology and privacy, support of work-life balance, and emotional support.
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