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.
PittVJLoweDPrictorMet al. A systematic review of consumer-providers’ effects on client outcomes in statutory mental health services: the evidence and the path beyond. J Soc Social Work Res2013; 4: 333–356.
WalkerGBryantW.Peer support in adult mental health services: a metasynthesis of qualitative findings. Psychiat Rehab J2013; 36: 28–34.
4.
MahlkeCIKramerUMBeckerTet al. Peer support in mental health services. Curr Opin Psychiat2014; 27: 276–281.
5.
Lloyd-EvansBMayo-WilsonEHarrisonBet al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of peer support for people with severe mental illness. BMC Psychiatry2014; 14: 39.
6.
MiyamotoYSonoT.Lessons from peer support among individuals with mental health difficulties: a review of the literature. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health2012; 8: 22–29.
7.
GillardSHolleyJ.Peer workers in mental health services: literature overview. Adv Psychiat Treat2014; 20: 286–292.
8.
ChinmanMGeorgePDoughertyRHet al. Peer support services for individuals with serious mental illnesses: assessing the evidence. Psych Serv2014; 65: 429–441.
9.
McKayCEDickersonF.Peer supports for tobacco cessation for adults with serious mental illness: a review of the literature. J Dual Diag2012; 8: 104–112.
10.
DavidsonLBellamyCGuyKet al. Peer support among persons with severe mental illnesses: a review of evidence and experience. World Psychiat2012; 11: 123-128.
11.
PittVLoweDHillSet al. Consumer-providers of care for adult clients of statutory mental health services. Cochrane Dat Syst Rev2013: CD004807.
12.
O’DonnellMParkerGProbertsMet al. A study of client-focused case management and consumer advocacy: the community and consumer service project. Aust NZ J Psychiatry1999; 33: 684–693.
13.
CraigTDohertyIJamieson-CraigRet al. The consumer-employee as a member of a Mental Health Assertive Outreach Team. I. Clinical and social outcomes. J Ment Health2009; 13: 59–69.
14.
BrightJIBakerKDNeimeyerRA.Professional and paraprofessional group treatments for depression: a comparison of cognitive-behavioural and mutual support interventions. J Consult Clin Psych1999; 67: 491–501.
15.
ClarkeGNHerinckxHAKinneyRFet al. Psychiatric hospitalizations, arrests, emergency room visits, and homelessness of clients with serious and persistent mental illness: findings from a randomized trial of two ACT programs vs. usual care. Mental Health Serv Res2000; 2: 155–164.
16.
RiveraJJSullivanAMValentiSS.Adding consumer-providers to intensive case management: does it improve outcome?Psych Serv2007; 58: 802–808.
17.
SellsDDavidsonLJewellCFalzeret al. The treatment relationship in peer-based and regular case management for clients with severe mental illness. Psych Serv2006; 57: 1179–1184.
18.
SolomonPDraineJ.The efficacy of a consumer case management team: 2-year outcomes of a randomized trial. J Ment Health Adm1995; 22: 135–146.
19.
GordonREEdmunsonEBedellJet al. Reducing rehospitalization of state mental patients. Peer management and support. J Fla Med Assoc1979; 66: 927–933.
20.
KaufmannCLSchulbergHCSchoolerNR.Self-help group participation among people with severe mental illness. Prev Hum Serv1995; 11: 315–331.
21.
RogersESTeagueGBLichensteinCet al. Effects of participation in consumer-operated service programs on both personal and organizationally mediated empowerment: results of multisite study. J Rehabil Res Dev2007; 44: 785.
22.
SledgeWHLawlessMSellsDet al. Effectiveness of peer support in reducing readmissions of persons with multiple psychiatric hospitalizations. Psych Serv2011; 62: 541–544.
23.
WrobleskiTWalkerGJarus-HakakAet al. Peer support as a catalyst for recovery: a mixed-methods study. Can J Occup Ther2015; 82: 64–73.
24.
EisenSVSchultzMRMuellerLNet al. Outcome of a randomized study of a mental health peer education and support group in the VA. Psych Serv2012; 63: 1243–1246.
25.
ChinmanMObermanRSHanusaBHet al. A cluster randomized trial of adding peer specialists to intensive case management teams in the Veterans Health Administration. J Behav Health Serv Res2015; 42: 109–121.
26.
RemmersCLG. The relationship between the Patient Activation Measure, future health outcomes, and health care utilization among patients with diabetes. Ann Arbor: Walden University, 126, http://search.proquest.com/docview/304380565 (2008, accessed 12 March 2017).
27.
Van Gestel-TimmermansHBrouwersEPMVan AssenMALMet al. Effects of a peer-run course on recovery from serious mental illness: a randomized controlled trial. Psych Serv2012; 63: 54–60.
28.
CohenLRothschildH.The bandwagons of medicine. Perspect Biol Med1979; 2: 531–538.
O’HalloranPO’ConnorN. Time to invest in developing community mental health services. Austral Psych2015: 1–4.
31.
KreyenbuhlJBuchananRWDickersonFBet al. The schizophrenia patient outcomes research team (PORT): updated treatment recommendationsSchizophr Bull2010; 36: 94–103.
