Core Competencies to Promote Consistency and Standardization of Best Practices for Digital Peer Support: Focus Group...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Digital Health
• Peer Support

Background:

• Digital peer support has rapidly expanded globally post-COVID-19.
• Standardization is needed to professionalize digital peer support.
• Limited research exists on digital peer support competencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To coproduction core competencies for digital peer support.
• To guide the training and delivery of digital peer support.
• To advance the professionalism of digital peer support.

Main Methods:

• Recruited peer support specialists internationally via listserv.
• Conducted four virtual focus groups with 59 specialists.
• Utilized the rigorous and accelerated data reduction (RADaR) technique for analysis.

Main Results:

• Identified 10 key themes: user rights, technical skills, technology access, equity, communication, training, self-care, crisis management, peer support competencies, and health literacy.
• Recommendations were developed based on identified themes.
• Emerging theme of health literacy highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Established digital peer support core competencies are a first step toward standardization.
• Competencies can guide training and skill development.
• Can enhance existing US state and SAMHSA-endorsed competencies.