Peer-counseling in schizophrenia: Patients consult patients

• Published in: Patient education and counseling Vol. 70; no. 3; pp. 357 - 362
• Main Authors: Rummel-Kluge, Christine, Stiegler-Kotzor, Michaela, Schwarz, Christian, Hansen, Wulf-Peter, Kissling, Werner
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland 01.03.2008
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Attitude to Health; Counseling - organization & administration; Feasibility Studies; Female; Helpfulness; Humans; Inpatients - education; Inpatients - psychology; Internal Medicine; Male; Middle Aged; Nursing; Peer Group; Peer group counselling; Pilot Projects; Program Evaluation; Schizoaffective disorder; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - prevention & control; Schizophrenic Psychology; Self Care - methods; Self Care - psychology; Self-Help Groups - organization & administration; Social Support; Surveys and Questionnaires; Schizophrenia; Inpatients; Peer-counseling; Psychiatry
• ISSN: 0738-3991; 1873-5134
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2007.11.001

Abstract Objective To evaluate whether peer-counseling, common in non-psychiatric medical fields, is feasible and useful for inpatients with schizophrenia. Methods The participants of a one-to-one peer-counseling were given the opportunity to present all questions related to their illness to a peer-counselor, who had himself been living with a schizoaffective disorder for over 20 years. The peer-counseling was evaluated by the participants (STEPP-questionnaire), by the counselor (structured protocol) and by a physician (supervision). Descriptive methods were used for statistical analyses. Results Eighty-eight patients (mean age 37 years, 35% female, hospitalized for 5 weeks) took part. The main topics addressed were ‘symptoms of schizophrenia’; main suggestions were ‘taking medication for symptom control and relapse prevention’, ‘having patience’ and providing ‘emotional support’. The mean ratings in the STEPP-subscales were: relationship-perspective 18.6 out of 21, problem-solving 19.8 out of 28, clarification-perspective 24.9 out of 35. Ninety-six percent of the participants would recommend this peer-counseling to others. Conclusions The results of this pilot-study show that peer-counseling is feasible in schizophrenia. The peer-counselor was able to answer the questions adequately; patients felt well understood and obtained support and encouragement. Practice Implications The data suggest that peer-counseling is a potentially useful, additional tool for inpatients with schizophrenia as it appears to meet as yet unattended needs.