Peer support and shared decision making in Open Dialogue: Opportunities and recommendations

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Psychiatry
• Social Work

Background:

• Open Dialogue (OD) is a person-centered social network model for mental healthcare.
• Peer support workers with lived experience are integral to OD, fostering understanding, belonging, and social inclusion.
• OD aligns with shared decision-making (SDM) principles in mental health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the integration of peer support and SDM within the Open Dialogue model.
• To discuss practical implications and recommendations for co-producing an OD model.
• To address the limited literature on peer support's role in enhancing OD and SDM.

Main Methods:

• This viewpoint was co-authored by individuals with lived experience, clinicians, and researchers.
• It synthesizes existing knowledge on OD, peer support, and SDM.
• The authors discuss practical applications and propose future research and training directions.

Main Results:

• Peer support enhances OD by improving shared understanding of mental health crises and promoting social inclusion.
• The integration of peer support and SDM principles can increase service engagement and reduce healthcare utilization.
• There is a need for further research and training to effectively implement co-produced OD models.

Conclusions:

• Co-producing Open Dialogue models with integrated peer support and shared decision-making is crucial for enhancing mental healthcare.
• Further research and training are recommended to optimize the application of these integrated approaches.
• This collaborative approach empowers individuals and supports long-term recovery in mental illness.