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[Self-Perception and External Perception of Peer Support Workers in Clinical Psychiatric Practice]
Sophie E Groß1, Jürgen Zielasek1, Friedhelm Kitzig2
1LVR-Institut für Versorgungsforschung, Köln.
Objective:
Since 2016, peer support workers (PSW) have been working in a clinical group with nine psychiatric clinics. The aim of this study was to collect expectations and experiences with peer support work.
Method:
Twelve PSW and 32 clinicians (key informants, KI) from all clinics participated in an anonymous, written survey.
Results:
Both PSW and KI evaluated the overall importance of peer support, the cooperation between PSW and the clinical staff and the support from supervisors positively. KI rated the importance of peer support higher than the PSW themselves. PSW expressed the wish to act more independently. Compared to the self-perception of PSW, KI experienced them more insecure and burdened.
Conclusion:
Our findings speak in favor of a high level of satisfaction with peer support work, but they also point to critical differences between external and self-perceptions of PSW. Qualitative and more extensive quantitative surveys are required.
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