OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a system based psychological first aid (PFA) training programme for non-mental health specialist health workers in China.

METHODS: Parallel group, assessor-blinded, cluster randomised controlled trial.

RESULTS: The intervention group (n=690) had significantly higher SKA-PFA scores than the control group (n=709) at two months post intervention (adjusted mean difference=4.44; 95% CI 1.17 to 7.52; p=0.007; Cohen’s d=0.35). The intervention group also had higher scores on posttraumatic growth (p=0.113, d=0.24), self-efficacy (p=0.032, d=0.20), and professional quality of life (p=0.281, d=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: The system based PFA training programme was more effective than the training as usual in enhancing the PFA knowledge, skills, and proficiency of the frontline non-mental health specialist health workers, and in increasing their competence to provide emergency service for survivors in China.