Peer Support Work in the Emergency Department

In partnership with the Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine and The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) Community Services, the University Health Network launched a Peer Support Work Program within its Emergency Departments in 2020.

As TNG describes it, these peer workers have lived experience with substance use and homelessness. They understand first-hand how to deal with complex health and social challenges faced by people who are going through what the peers did. Peer workers are able to provide one-to-one emotional and social support, share knowledge and act as mentors and advocates to the people they help. By building a level of trust, they are able to encourage people to engage with health care systems.

Publications, Presentations and Media

PUBLICATIONS

  1. O’Neill M, Michalski C, Hayman K, Hulme J, Neighbourhood Group Community Services (Lorie Steer), Dube S, Diemert LM, Kornas K, Schoffel A, Rosella LC, Boozary A. “Whatever journey you want to take, I’ll support you through”: a mixed methods evaluation of a peer worker program in the hospital emergency department. BMC Health Services Research. 2024 Jan 30;24(1):147. Link

 

PRESENTATIONS

  1. Li K, Chang AA, Ghosh S, Poxon A, Hulme J, Orchanian-Cheff A, Girdler H, Jones MK, VandenBerg S, Moe J, Chan K. The Role and Impact of Peers in Acute Care Settings: A Systematic Review. ICEM 2025. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 2025 May 27. (Oral Presentation)
  2. Hulme J, Chan K, Jones MK, Reichard A, Bailey L, Coyle S, Vitkin N, Wali N, Waglay M, Steer L. Integration of peer support workers into emergency department electronic medical records: Implementation and impact. ICEM 2025. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 2025 May 25. (Poster Presentation)
  3. Hulme K, Jones MK, Chan K, Vitkin N, Coyle S, Steer L, Waglay M, Wali N. The role of Peer Support Workers in mitigating workplace violence in emergency departments. ICEM 2025. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 2025 May 25. (Poster Presentation)
  4. Madu G, Hulme J, Hayman K, Jones M, Steer L, Kellen A, Leston F, Wal Ni, Dube S, Schoffel A, Michalski C, O’Neil Ml, Diemert L, Kornas K, Rosella L, Boozary A. Integrating peer support workers in the emergency department: A mixed methods evaluation of staff perspectives. CAEP Conference 2024. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. 2024 June 10. (Poster Presentation)
  5. Madu G, Saluja R, Hulme J and Hayman K. Impact of Peer Support Workers on security activations in the emergency department: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis. CAEP Conference 2023. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 2023 May 30. (Poster Presentation)

 

MEDIA

  1. Compassionate care for Toronto’s most vulnerable. Toronto Life. Link
  2. Peer support workers are bridging crucial gaps in Toronto’s emergency departments. The Toronto Star. October 7, 2024. Link
  3. UHN’s peer support workers are reinventing emergency care. UHN Foundation News. September 24, 2024. Link

Program Team

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Jennifer Hulme

Health Equity Co-Lead, ED, UHN

Marcella Jones

Health Equity Co-Lead, ED, UHN

Kathryn Chan Headshot

Kathryn Chan

Health Equity Co-Lead, ED, UHN

Kate

Kate Hayman

Deputy Medical Director, ED, UHN