RISE: Exploring Volunteer Retention and Sustainability of a Second Victim Support Program

The Resilience In Stressful Events (RISE) program that supports healthcare professionals traumatized by stressful clinical events has had a stable, volunteer-based membership since its inception in 2011 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. For this study, we explored RISE members' perceptions of the program that contribute to their retention and the program's sustainability. We distributed a survey with quantitative and qualitative elements to assess perceptions in seven domains of interest. The response rate was 100%. Pearson chi-squared tests established statistical associations among quantitative variables. Qualitative data were explored using content analysis. Of 27 respondents, 19 had been members for 3 or more years. The training completion percentage was 100%, and the annual turnover percentage was 12%. Members found their duties to be meaningful (100%), personally satisfying (96%), and positively impactful (93%). A total of 89% reported confidence in their competency to perform RISE duties, 84% in their autonomy, and 56% in their personal resilience; 28% reported some burnout from RISE duties. Cronbach's α for these domain scores ranged from 0.65 to 0.97. Content analysis also revealed positive perceptions of RISE volunteering and personal empowerment. Members indicated a personal affinity with RISE and gains in energy and enjoyment from their membership. Contributing factors to volunteer retention may include members' perceptions that RISE builds valued skills and supports their affinity for others.