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A substantial peer-worker workforce in a psychiatric service will improve patient outcomes - the case against
Nick O'Connor1, Scott Clark2, Christopher J Ryan3
1Clinical Director, North Shore Ryde Mental Health Service, Sydney, NSW, and; Clinical Senior Lecturer Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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.
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