Public safety personnel feedback from a remote trial of Goal Management Training for post-traumatic stress during Covid-19

Heather Millman; Krysta Andrews; Sherain Harricharan; Sarah Goegan; Brahm Sanger; Isaac Beech; Charlene O'Connor; Ruth Lanius; Margaret McKinnon

doi:10.35502/jcswb.229

Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being (Mar 2022)

Public safety personnel feedback from a remote trial of Goal Management Training for post-traumatic stress during Covid-19

Heather Millman,
Krysta Andrews,
Sherain Harricharan,
Sarah Goegan,
Brahm Sanger,
Isaac Beech,
Charlene O'Connor,
Ruth Lanius,
Margaret McKinnon

Affiliations

Heather Millman: McMaster University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Krysta Andrews: McMaster University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
Sherain Harricharan: McMaster University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
Sarah Goegan: McMaster University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
Brahm Sanger: McMaster University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
Isaac Beech: McMaster University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
Charlene O'Connor: Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON, Canada
Ruth Lanius: Lawson Health Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Western University, Parkwood Institute, London, ON, Canada
Margaret McKinnon: McMaster University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada; Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON, Canada

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35502/jcswb.229
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 7, no. 1

Abstract

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Purpose: This paper explores participants’ perspectives on the acceptability, utility, and perceived therapeutic effects of a virtual group cognitive remediation program, Goal Management Training (GMT)™, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The advantages and drawbacks of these groups are considered as part of an online research study protocol exploring cognitive remediation among first responders (police, firefighters, paramedics, emergency dispatchers, corrections and parole officers, and nurses) who have been impacted by trauma. Methods: We qualitatively examined the results of an anonymous participant feedback survey collected from 20 first responders who took part in the first round of our online therapy groups. A thematic analysis approach was taken to highlight key themes and recommendations. Results: Survey results indicated that participants found our online protocol effective in terms of group facilitation, the utility of online platforms, and perceived therapeutic effects. Further, some participants preferred participating online versus attending in-person groups. Conclusion: This early data suggests that providing virtual options for research and treatment among trauma-impacted public safety personnel may increase accessibility and overall participation among this population.

Published in Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being

ISSN: 2371-4298 (Online)
Publisher: SG Publishing
Country of publisher: Canada
LCC subjects: Social Sciences: Communities. Classes. Races: Human settlements. Communities; Social Sciences: Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology
Website: https://www.journalcswb.ca/index.php/cswb

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