Supporting the growth of peer-professional workforces in healthcare settings: an evaluation of a targeted training approach for volunteer leaders of the STEPS Program

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of a targeted training approach to foster and support a peer-professional workforce in the delivery of a community rehabilitation program for adults with acquired brain injury (ABI) and their families. Method: A prospective longitudinal design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a targeted two-day training forum for peer (n = 25) and professional (n = 15) leaders of the Skills to Enable People and Communities Program. Leaders completed a set of questionnaires (General Self-Efficacy Scale – GSES, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Volunteer Motivation Inventory – VMI and Community Involvement Scale – CIS) both prior to and immediately following the forum. Data analysis entailed paired sample t-test to explore changes in scores over time, and independent sample t-tests for comparisons between the two participant groups. Results: The results indicated a significant increase in scores over time for the GSES (p = 0.047). Improvements in leaders' volunteer motivations and community involvement were also observed between the two time intervals. The between group comparisons highlighted that the peer leader group scored significantly higher than the professional leader group on the CIS and several domains of the VMI at both time intervals. Conclusion: The study provides an enhanced understanding of the utility of innovative workforce solutions for community rehabilitation after ABI; and further highlights the benefits of targeted training approaches to support the development of such workforce configurations. Implications for RehabilitationInnovative workforce solutions that incorporate peer-professional partnerships should be considered in planning for future health services.Service implementation needs to address the unique training and support needs of such a workforce to ensure high standards of service delivery and to enhance long-term sustainability.Good practice is to include an evaluation of a targeted training approach to foster leader development.