"Very much evolving": a qualitative study of the views of psychiatrists about peer support workers.
Collins, Rachael;
Firth, Lucy;
Shakespeare, Tom;
(2016)
"Very much evolving": a qualitative study of the views of psychiatrists about peer support workers.
JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH, 25 (3).
pp. 278-283.
ISSN 0963-8237
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/09638237.2016.1167858
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BACKGROUND: Mental health services continue to develop service user involvement, including a growth in employment of peer support workers (PSWs). Despite the importance of the views and attitudes expressed by psychiatrists, this topic has not previously been studied. AIMS: To gain insight into the views and attitudes psychiatrists have about PSWs. METHODS: A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with 11 psychiatrists in the East of England. RESULTS: Psychiatrists were broadly positive and supportive of PSWs. Interviewees not only could anticipate a range of possible benefits of employing PSWs, but also had concerns regarding their implementation and management. There was a lack of clarity and consistency between interviewees about what the exact role of a PSW might involve. CONCLUSION: This study provides insights into how PSWs are perceived by psychiatrists. While broadly positive attitudes exist, the research highlights certain challenges, particularly role ambiguity.