The effect of psychological first aid interventions on self-efficacy and professional quality of life among physicians: a quasi-experimental study

• Othman A. Alfuqaha ^[1] ; Uday M. Al-Masarwah ^[2] ; Fatima M. Al Talahin ^[2] ; Rihan Thaher Altarawneh ^[2]
  1. [1] Ajman University
  2. [2] The World Islamic Sciences & Education University W.I.S.E.
• Localización: EJIHPE: European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, ISSN 2174-8144, ISSN-e 2254-9625, Vol. 15, Nº. 12, 2025, págs. 245-245
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe15120245
• Enlaces
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• Resumen

  • (1) Background: Psychological first aid (PFA) interventions are designed to tackle the effects of traumatic events on individuals to help them reach stability. (2) Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study. A total of 162 physicians in Jordan were conveniently selected between 28 November and 15 December 2023. We identified 82 participants by a simple random procedure to represent the control group = 42 and the experimental group = 40. The PFA intervention course was initiated from 18 December 2023 to 21 February 2024. (3) Results: We found significant differences (p < 0.001) between the control group and the experimental group based on knowledge, skills, and attitudes in terms of PFA; self-efficacy (SE); and professional quality of life (ProQoL). The experimental group demonstrated higher knowledge, skills, and attitudes in terms of PFA and improved SE compared to the control group. Physicians, before undergoing the PFA intervention and strategy training course, exhibited moderate levels of compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout (BO), and secondary traumatic stress (STS). After the training course, both BO (M = 3.14, t = 3.44, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.56) and STS (M = 2.01, t = 4.25, p = 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.65) decreased significantly in the experimental group, while there was no significant effect on CS (M = 4.29, t = 1.56, p = 0.12, Cohen’s d = 0.21) as a result of the PFA training course in the experimental group. (4) Conclusions: The PFA training course improves SE and ProQoL and increases knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward PFA. We recommend implementing PFA training courses for other healthcare professionals.

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