Peer-counseling in schizophrenia: patients consult patients

To evaluate whether peer-counseling, common in non-psychiatric medical fields, is feasible and useful for inpatients with schizophrenia.

The participants of a one-to-one peer-counseling were given the opportunity to present all questions related to their illness to a peer-counselor, who had himself been living with a schizoaffective disorder for over 20 years. The peer-counseling was evaluated by the participants (STEPP-questionnaire), by the counselor (structured protocol) and by a physician (supervision). Descriptive methods were used for statistical analyses.

Eighty-eight patients (mean age 37 years, 35% female, hospitalized for 5 weeks) took part. The main topics addressed were 'symptoms of schizophrenia'; main suggestions were 'taking medication for symptom control and relapse prevention', 'having patience' and providing 'emotional support'. The mean ratings in the STEPP-subscales were: relationship-perspective 18.6 out of 21, problem-solving 19.8 out of 28, clarification-perspective 24.9 out of 35. Ninety-six percent of the participants would recommend this peer-counseling to others.

The results of this pilot-study show that peer-counseling is feasible in schizophrenia. The peer-counselor was able to answer the questions adequately; patients felt well understood and obtained support and encouragement.

The data suggest that peer-counseling is a potentially useful, additional tool for inpatients with schizophrenia as it appears to meet as yet unattended needs.