Peer Worker-Supported Transition from Hospital to Home-Outcomes for Service Users.

BACKGROUND

Transitioning from psychiatric hospitalisation back to community presents a period of heightened suicide, homelessness, relapse, and rehospitalisation risk. The Australian state of New South Wales established a state-wide Peer Supported Transfer of Care (Peer-STOC) initiative to enhance recovery-focused supports available during this transition period.

AIMS: To understand the impacts and outcomes of the Peer-STOC program on service users from three stakeholder perspectives: service users themselves, peer worker service providers, and other mental health workers and clinicians interfacing with the program.

METHODS

Qualitative data from 82 questionnaires and 58 individual in-depth interviews were analysed thematically using constant comparative methods and an iterative and inductive process.

RESULTS

All stakeholders described positive impacts and outcomes of the program for service users. These included: (a) a better, less traumatic inpatient experience; (b) felt understood, cared about and less alone; (c) easier to leave hospital; (d) easier to get back into life and daily routines; (e) built and re-established community connections; (f) gained new knowledge, strategies, and skills; and (g) felt more hopeful about my recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

The Peer-STOC program had a positive impact. It enhanced people's experience in hospital, eased their transition from hospital and assisted with people recovering community-based relationships, activities, and routines.