Feasibility of Virtual Peer Support for ICU Survivors: icuRESOLVE-D (Intensive Care Unit REcovery Solutions cO-Led through surVivor Engagement Digital) Study

TIDieR checklist Brief name: Virtual facilitated peer support group Rationale: Physical, cognitive, emotional, financial and social problems are quite common among survivors (patients and families). This is recognised as Post Intensive Care Syndrome. When survivors leave ICU, they are required to navigate increasingly complex health systems and reintegrate with their communities, while trying to make sense of their experiences and possible new impairments. This occurs at a time when they may be most vulnerable with potentially little support from the health system. Currently in Australia, ICU survivors receive little to no follow-up. Peer support has potential to address some of these challenges and system deficiencies and is relatively unexplored in critical care. Access to peer support groups can limit their effectiveness, access to virtual peer support groups may improve this. Materials: Upon recruitment, participants will receive an information letter outlining details of the icuRESOLVE-D Peer Support Program and a patient and carer information booklet designed for this study, outlining the potential effects of post-intensive care syndrome, the impact of an ICU stay, information for patients post-hospital and general post-ICU health advice. Reminder letter posted to their postal address with dates/times of the Peer Support Sessions prior to each session, Reminder text message within the week preceding each Peer Support Session Intervention Delivery - Each Peer Support Session will be delivered by a clinician/s with ICU and group facilitation experience (e.g. Social Worker, Psychologist). Sessions will incorporate a short talk/presentation on a relevant topic to ICU recovery. Facilitators: Facilitators will all be registered clinicians in their speciality field of practice (Social Work and/or Psychology) and group facilitation is part of their scope of practice. These staff members are co-investigators of the project. The Project Manager is senior intensive care physiotherapist with expertise in follow-up of intensive care survivors and is skilled in debriefing (a method used in simulation training which has transferable skills to group facilitation). Procedure: The icuRESOLVE Peer Support Program (developed in Phase 1) that will form the intervention: Format: Virtual, group based Duration of Program: 4 sessions, fortnightly over 8 weeks. The program will run as a rolling/continuous program so that participants can commence the program upon recruitment in to the study Location: Virtual, using Zoom platform. If patients do not have access to a webcam/computer they will be able to call into the group using their phone. Time: 12pm-1pm Session Length: 1 hour Facilitator: A clinician with ICU and group facilitation experience. E.g. Social worker, psychologist. Format: 1. Welcome to group (group facilitators) 2. Formal talk (led by guest speaker) on a relevant topic 3. Facilitated small group discussion in break-out rooms including virtual tea break (led by group facilitators) 4. Formal group reflection (led by group facilitators) 5. Close of session (group facilitators) Topics and guest speakers: 1. Social issues post-ICU – Social Worker 2. What happens in the ICU – ICU Consultant 3. Physical recovery post-ICU – Physiotherapist 4. Coping and psychological recovery - Psychologist Infrastructure: - icuRESOLVE Session Invite Letter Reminder letters and text messages for upcoming sessions, attendance: RSVP via phone/text. The group may setup a Facebook page/group. Enabling Activities: Prior to each icuRESOLVE Peer Support Program Session, a session plan and overview will be developed by the icuRESOLVE Project Lead and circulated amongst the icuRESOLVE facilitators. Attendance: Attendance and adherence to the protocol will be documented in Attendance sheet. Who provided: icuRESOLVE Project Lead: An experienced ICU Clinician with expertise in project management, debriefing and consumer engagement icuRESOLVE Session Facilitator: An experienced ICU Clinician with expertise in group facilitation. Facilitators will all be registered clinicians in their speciality field of practice (Social Work and/or Psychology) and group facilitation is part of their scope of practice. These staff members are co-investigators of the project. The Project Manager is senior intensive care physiotherapist with expertise in follow-up of intensive care survivors and is skilled in debriefing (a method used in simulation training which has transferrable skills to group facilitation). Guest Speakers: Social worker, Psychologist, Physiotherapist, ICU Consultant. Mode of delivery: The icuRESOLVE Peer Support Program will be delivered virtually via Zoom, in a group setting. Participants will be provided with instructions for how to join Zoom Location: The icuRESOLVE Peer Support Program will be delivered virtually, so participants can access the program from their own home. Participants will need access to a tablet or computer with a webcam and internet or telephone. Frequency and duration: The icuRESOLVE Peer Support Program will be run fortnightly over a 8-week period. A total of 4 sessions will be offered to each participant. Sessions will be 1 hour in duration. This will be a rolling program. Tailoring: The icuRESOLVE Peer Support Program was initially developed using co-design so has had extensive consumer review and feedback regarding the design. To support ongoing consumer engagement in design – we will incorporate any feedback received from the first 5 participants to complete the program via the barriers/enablers interview.