Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Peer Support Program for Trauma Survivors (NCT07275892) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Peer Support Program for Trauma Survivors
Canada49 participantsStarted 2026-01-01
Plain-language summary
Traumatic injuries from events like car crashes, falls, or fires are a leading cause of disability. Survivors often face not only physical challenges but also long-lasting pain, mental health challenges and difficulty returning to work and family life. Although medical care focuses on physical recovery, survivors frequently report that their emotional and social needs are overlooked and unmet.
Peer support-guidance from people who have lived through similar injuries-can reduce distress and improve coping. However, no programs in Canada currently provide peer support to trauma survivors across their recovery journey, from hospital to rehabilitation to community living.
The investigators worked with trauma survivors, caregivers, and healthcare providers to co-design a Peer Support Program (PSP) that offers support throughout these stages. This pilot study will test whether the program is feasible and acceptable, and explore its early impact on recovery. Results will guide a future larger trial to expand peer support in trauma care.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* adult patients (18 years+) who have experienced an unintentional traumatic injury resulting in hospitalization at Sunnybrook and who will be discharged to inpatient rehabilitation at St. John's Rehab after acute care.
* must be able to communicate in English
Exclusion Criteria:
* patients who experienced: a) an intentional self-harm injury (because self-harm suggests a history of mental health issues prior to the trauma requiring specific psychiatric supports)
* patients who experienced: an injury caused by an intimate partner (because these injuries are typically underpinned by chronic exposure to domestic violence which requires interventions that promote patient safety and interrupt the pattern of violence)
* patients who experienced: a violently-acquired injury (as this patient population already receives specific clinical and social support through Sunnybrook's BReAking the Cycle of Violence with Empathy (BRAVE) program).
* patients with substantial cognitive impairment and a history of substance misuse if their HCPs indicate that either condition will impede the their ability to provide informed consent and/or participate safely in the trial
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Feasibility of implementing the Peer Support Program
Timeframe: From recruitment to 3 months post intervention