Peer support based on Mental Health First Aid for medical residents in Lyon, France: protocol for a non-randomised controlled mixed-methods study.
Medical residents frequently experience anxiety, depression, burnout and suicidal ideation. Existing support strategies have shown limited benefit. The Impact de la Pair-Aidance Étudiante sur la Santé Mentale des internes de Médecine de première année (PAESSM) study will evaluate whether embedding Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)-trained peer supporters within a first-year residency cohort is associated with improved mental well-being and reduced psychological distress over 12 months.
PAESSM is a non-randomised controlled mixed-methods quasi-experimental study in Lyon, France involving the two Lyon medical schools. Two contemporaneous cohorts will be followed for 12 months: first-year residents exposed to a structured peer-support programme and second-year residents receiving usual support resources without a structured peer-support network. About 430 residents are eligible in each cohort, with anticipated enrolment of approximately 260 per group. In the intervention cohort, around 10% of first-year residents will complete certified MHFA training and act as peer supporters. Online questionnaires will be administered at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The primary outcome is 12-month mental well-being measured by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. Secondary outcomes include anxiety and depression symptoms, suicidal ideation, job strain and help-seeking behaviours. The primary analysis will use longitudinal targeted maximum likelihood estimation adjusted for prespecified baseline covariates and informative censoring. Sensitivity analyses will include mixed-effects models and complete-case analyses. A qualitative sub-study will explore peer supporters' experiences and implementation processes.
Ethical approval was obtained from the Comité de Protection des Personnes Nord-Ouest IV (Ref: 2025-A01549-40). In accordance with French legislation applicable to minimal-risk research, formal written informed consent was waived and participants will provide documented non-opposition before inclusion. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and communication with institutional stakeholders and residents.
NCT07161284.
PAESSM is a non-randomised controlled mixed-methods quasi-experimental study in Lyon, France involving the two Lyon medical schools. Two contemporaneous cohorts will be followed for 12 months: first-year residents exposed to a structured peer-support programme and second-year residents receiving usual support resources without a structured peer-support network. About 430 residents are eligible in each cohort, with anticipated enrolment of approximately 260 per group. In the intervention cohort, around 10% of first-year residents will complete certified MHFA training and act as peer supporters. Online questionnaires will be administered at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The primary outcome is 12-month mental well-being measured by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. Secondary outcomes include anxiety and depression symptoms, suicidal ideation, job strain and help-seeking behaviours. The primary analysis will use longitudinal targeted maximum likelihood estimation adjusted for prespecified baseline covariates and informative censoring. Sensitivity analyses will include mixed-effects models and complete-case analyses. A qualitative sub-study will explore peer supporters' experiences and implementation processes.
Ethical approval was obtained from the Comité de Protection des Personnes Nord-Ouest IV (Ref: 2025-A01549-40). In accordance with French legislation applicable to minimal-risk research, formal written informed consent was waived and participants will provide documented non-opposition before inclusion. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and communication with institutional stakeholders and residents.
NCT07161284.
Authors
Bailly Bailly, Barbalat Barbalat, Danckaert Danckaert, Franck Franck, Guillotin Guillotin, Poncin Poncin, Nohales Nohales, Poulet Poulet, Maillet Maillet, Célérier Célérier, L'Helgouarc'h L'Helgouarc'h, Rode Rode, Paparel Paparel, Pham Pham, Leaune Leaune
View on Pubmed