Evaluation of a Digital Peer Support and Psychoeducation Platform for German Emergency Medical Personnel: A Pilot Longitudinal Study

Abstract

BackgroundEmergency medical personnel (EMP) are exposed to substantial occupational stress and are at increased risk for mental ill-health. However, tailored digital interventions addressing occupational and gender-specific needs remain scarce. To address this gap, we developed the RUPERT intervention, combining an anonymous online peer support forum with a psychoeducational platform.ObjectivesThis pilot study examined changes in attitudes toward professional help-seeking, depression literacy, social support, and depression stigma among EMP following use of the RUPERT intervention. Additionally, gender differences in outcome trajectories were explored.MethodsA prospective single-group online intervention study was conducted with assessments at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. Quota sampling was used to approximate the gender distribution of the German emergency medical services workforce. German-speaking EMP completed validated self-report measures. Data were analysed using multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models.ResultsA total of 265 EMP participated. Retention rates were 84.5% at 4 weeks and 65.3% at 12 weeks. Attitudes toward professional help-seeking increased significantly at both follow-ups (both p < .001). Women reported higher baseline levels of giving social support than men (p = .001), followed by a significant decrease at 4 weeks (p = .014) and a non-significant trend at 12 weeks (p = .078). No significant changes were observed for depression literacy, depression stigma, or received social support.ConclusionThe RUPERT intervention may improve attitudes toward professional help-seeking among EMP. Findings support the potential of low-threshold, occupation-specific digital interventions and provide insights for the development of gender-sensitive mental health interventions in high-risk occupational settings.

Note:
Funding declaration: This work was supported by the Movember and The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Veterans and First Responders Mental Health Grant Program.

Conflict of Interests: All authors declare no financial or non-financial competing interests.

Ethical Approval: Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Department of Medicine at Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany (6 July 2022; reference number: 202-646) prior to study initiation.

Keywords: Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Responders, mental health, Depression, Internet-Based Intervention, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice