Implementing peer support work in mental health care in Germany: The methodological framework of the collaborative, participatory, mixed‐methods study (ImpPeer‐Psy5)

Abstract Background Starting in the 1990s in the United States, individuals with lived experience of mental health crises and recovery have been employed as peer support workers (PSWs) internationally. However, the implementation of PSW in clinical contexts remains challenging. Methods This manuscri...

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Main Authors: Sebastian vonPeter, Ute Maria Kraemer, Lauren Cubellis, Georgia Fehler, Guillermo Ruiz‐Pérez, Daniela Schmidt, Jenny Ziegenhagen, Madeleine Kuesel, Susanne Ackers, Candelaria Mahlke, Lena Nugent, Imke Heuer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-02-01
Series:Health Expectations
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13938
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author Sebastian vonPeter
Ute Maria Kraemer
Lauren Cubellis
Georgia Fehler
Guillermo Ruiz‐Pérez
Daniela Schmidt
Jenny Ziegenhagen
Madeleine Kuesel
Susanne Ackers
Candelaria Mahlke
Lena Nugent
Imke Heuer
author_facet Sebastian vonPeter
Ute Maria Kraemer
Lauren Cubellis
Georgia Fehler
Guillermo Ruiz‐Pérez
Daniela Schmidt
Jenny Ziegenhagen
Madeleine Kuesel
Susanne Ackers
Candelaria Mahlke
Lena Nugent
Imke Heuer
author_sort Sebastian vonPeter
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Starting in the 1990s in the United States, individuals with lived experience of mental health crises and recovery have been employed as peer support workers (PSWs) internationally. However, the implementation of PSW in clinical contexts remains challenging. Methods This manuscript presents and discusses the methodological framework of the ImpPeer‐Psy5 study on the PSW implementation in the German mental healthcare sector. This study used a mixed‐methods and collaborative research approach, as well as participatory research strategies. After describing the study design, populations, teamwork and assessments, the epistemic challenges of its methodological framework will be critically discussed and how it has iteratively shaped the object of study. Discussion and Practical Implications The healthcare, policy and funding context of PSW implementation as well as the study's methodological framework have differently influenced the ways in which the implementation of PSW has been conceived in this study. The choice of a collaborative or participatory methodological framework is advised to better align research questions and procedures to the specific needs and challenges of PSWs and other stakeholders concerned with PSW implementation. Patient and Public Contribution The research team of the ImpPeer‐Psy5 study was collaboratively staffed by a portion of researchers who also identify as users or survivors of psychiatric services. A nonprofit organization for the training of PSWs served as a practice partner throughout the research process. Different participatory formats involve a significant number of diverse stakeholders relevant to PSW implementation.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1369-6513
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publishDate 2024-02-01
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spelling doaj-art-2e6d48b3b27f4268a259f723fc2596cf2025-08-23T11:53:04ZengWileyHealth Expectations1369-65131369-76252024-02-01271n/an/a10.1111/hex.13938Implementing peer support work in mental health care in Germany: The methodological framework of the collaborative, participatory, mixed‐methods study (ImpPeer‐Psy5)Sebastian vonPeter0Ute Maria Kraemer1Lauren Cubellis2Georgia Fehler3Guillermo Ruiz‐Pérez4Daniela Schmidt5Jenny Ziegenhagen6Madeleine Kuesel7Susanne Ackers8Candelaria Mahlke9Lena Nugent10Imke Heuer11Brandenburg Medical School, Centre of Mental HealtPsychiatry and Psychotherapy Immanuel Klinik Rüdersdorf Neuruppin GermanyBrandenburg Medical School, Centre of Mental HealtPsychiatry and Psychotherapy Immanuel Klinik Rüdersdorf Neuruppin GermanyBrandenburg Medical School, Centre of Mental HealtPsychiatry and Psychotherapy Immanuel Klinik Rüdersdorf Neuruppin GermanyBrandenburg Medical School, Centre of Mental HealtPsychiatry and Psychotherapy Immanuel Klinik Rüdersdorf Neuruppin GermanyBrandenburg Medical School, Centre of Mental HealtPsychiatry and Psychotherapy Immanuel Klinik Rüdersdorf Neuruppin GermanyBrandenburg Medical School, Centre of Mental HealtPsychiatry and Psychotherapy Immanuel Klinik Rüdersdorf Neuruppin GermanyBrandenburg Medical School, Centre of Mental HealtPsychiatry and Psychotherapy Immanuel Klinik Rüdersdorf Neuruppin GermanyBrandenburg Medical School, Centre of Mental HealtPsychiatry and Psychotherapy Immanuel Klinik Rüdersdorf Neuruppin GermanyEX‐IN Germany e.V. Karlsbad GermanyDepartment of Psychiatry University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf Hamburg GermanyDepartment of Psychiatry University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf Hamburg GermanyDepartment of Psychiatry University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf Hamburg GermanyAbstract Background Starting in the 1990s in the United States, individuals with lived experience of mental health crises and recovery have been employed as peer support workers (PSWs) internationally. However, the implementation of PSW in clinical contexts remains challenging. Methods This manuscript presents and discusses the methodological framework of the ImpPeer‐Psy5 study on the PSW implementation in the German mental healthcare sector. This study used a mixed‐methods and collaborative research approach, as well as participatory research strategies. After describing the study design, populations, teamwork and assessments, the epistemic challenges of its methodological framework will be critically discussed and how it has iteratively shaped the object of study. Discussion and Practical Implications The healthcare, policy and funding context of PSW implementation as well as the study's methodological framework have differently influenced the ways in which the implementation of PSW has been conceived in this study. The choice of a collaborative or participatory methodological framework is advised to better align research questions and procedures to the specific needs and challenges of PSWs and other stakeholders concerned with PSW implementation. Patient and Public Contribution The research team of the ImpPeer‐Psy5 study was collaboratively staffed by a portion of researchers who also identify as users or survivors of psychiatric services. A nonprofit organization for the training of PSWs served as a practice partner throughout the research process. Different participatory formats involve a significant number of diverse stakeholders relevant to PSW implementation.https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13938collaborativemental health caremixed methodpeer support workparticipatory research
spellingShingle Sebastian vonPeter
Ute Maria Kraemer
Lauren Cubellis
Georgia Fehler
Guillermo Ruiz‐Pérez
Daniela Schmidt
Jenny Ziegenhagen
Madeleine Kuesel
Susanne Ackers
Candelaria Mahlke
Lena Nugent
Imke Heuer
Implementing peer support work in mental health care in Germany: The methodological framework of the collaborative, participatory, mixed‐methods study (ImpPeer‐Psy5)
Health Expectations
collaborative
mental health care
mixed method
peer support work
participatory research
title Implementing peer support work in mental health care in Germany: The methodological framework of the collaborative, participatory, mixed‐methods study (ImpPeer‐Psy5)
title_full Implementing peer support work in mental health care in Germany: The methodological framework of the collaborative, participatory, mixed‐methods study (ImpPeer‐Psy5)
title_fullStr Implementing peer support work in mental health care in Germany: The methodological framework of the collaborative, participatory, mixed‐methods study (ImpPeer‐Psy5)
title_full_unstemmed Implementing peer support work in mental health care in Germany: The methodological framework of the collaborative, participatory, mixed‐methods study (ImpPeer‐Psy5)
title_short Implementing peer support work in mental health care in Germany: The methodological framework of the collaborative, participatory, mixed‐methods study (ImpPeer‐Psy5)
title_sort implementing peer support work in mental health care in germany the methodological framework of the collaborative participatory mixed methods study imppeer psy5
topic collaborative
mental health care
mixed method
peer support work
participatory research
url https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13938
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