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The peer-employment-training approach of Recovery Innovations in Arizona


Objectives

 

The expert patient programme is one of the best known examples of co-production in the UK, harnessing the expertise of patients to improve self-care and offer peer support. The approach is based on the insight that patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and HIV may well have a better knowledge of their own case histories, symptoms and care management needs than medical staff (DH, 2006). It involves co-production since medical staff play a role in offering diagnosis and supporting patients in self-care as well as facilitating access to peer support networks. There is some evidence that the scheme has demonstrated improved efficacy and energy among participants, and reduced demand on hospital facilities (DH, 2006).

 

However, there are some concerns that the programme has not been transformative enough, with peer support being an ‘add on’ to a set of doctor-patient relationships that remain largely unchanged (Wilson, 2001). This may be a particular concern in services such as mental health where patients have to deal with the stigma of the condition and the assumption that they don’t have the stability required for self-care or peer support.

 

 

 

About this case study
Main Contact

Dr. Catherine Needham
Reader in Public Policy and Public Management
Health Services Management Centre
University of Birmingham

Email:
c.needham.1@bham.ac.uk

Susan Coleman
Executive Project Manager
Recovery Innovations

Email:
Susanc@
recoveryinnovations
.org

Dr. Catherine Needham provided Governance International with this case study on 9 March 2010.

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