A substantial peer-worker workforce in a psychiatric service will improve patient outcomes - the case against

Nick O'Connor; Scott Clark; Christopher J Ryan

doi:10.1177/1039856217700777

A substantial peer-worker workforce in a psychiatric service will improve patient outcomes - the case against

Australas Psychiatry. 2017 Oct;25(5):445-447. doi: 10.1177/1039856217700777. Epub 2017 May 4.

Authors

Nick O'Connor¹, Scott Clark², Christopher J Ryan³

Affiliations

¹ Clinical Director, North Shore Ryde Mental Health Service, Sydney, NSW, and; Clinical Senior Lecturer Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
² Clinical Director, Western NSW LHD Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services, Dubbo, NSW, and; Conjoint Associate Professor, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
³ Clinical Associate Professor and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatrist, Discipline of Psychiatry and the Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 28468505
DOI: 10.1177/1039856217700777

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this work was to examine, via narrative review, the evidence supporting the drive for more peer workers to gauge the likely impact on patient outcomes.

Conclusions: Despite considerable research into the effectiveness of peer workers in clinical psychiatry, there is insufficient evidence to support the proposition that a substantial peer workforce would improve the outcomes of people living with mental illness.

Keywords: mental health services; peer group recovery; peer workers.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Allied Health Personnel*
Humans
Mental Disorders / therapy*
Mental Health Services*
Patient Outcome Assessment*
Peer Group*