McLean’s Peer Research Consortium: Accomplishments, Functions, & Analysis
Katerina Konstas (1), Emily E. Carol(1,2), Rahel Bosson (2,3), Nicole Cerundolo (1), Adrienne Gerken (4), Zachary B. Millman (1,2), Nathaniel Van Kirk (2,5), Dost Ongur (1,2), Stephen J. Fedele (1)
1. Division of Psychotic Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA
2. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
3. Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT), McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA
4. Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Thomas Jefferson University,Philadelphia, PA
5. OCD Institute, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA
Background: Certified Peer Specialists are becoming better integrated and established as vital team members in interdisciplinary teams across a variety of healthcare settings. However, research on the many roles of Certified Peer Specialists and their impact on recovery is limited. The Peer Research Consortium at McLean Hospital was established with the aim of creating a community of staff across disciplines to research and better understand peer work primarily within psychiatric settings.
Methods: Along with the accomplishments of the consortium, there have been many lessons learned since its establishment in 2019. This poster aims to outline the strengths and solutions to possible barriers when building a research consortium. These recommendations have been compiled in hopes that other clinical and academic centers may establish their own Peer Research Consortiums, expanding the impact of peer research throughout healthcare systems.
Results: Several projects around the roles of peer specialists in psychosis care have been explored, including peers as teachers to families, peers as teachers to staff, and inpatient peer work. Peers often led these projects or were highly involved throughout the entire process. This is a distinct strength of the consortium, as much of the literature on peer work rarely includes peers themselves. The consortium began acting as an educational hub for hospital staff and outside collaborators interested in peer research, growing its impact outside of the hospital. The completion of these projects also provided insight into the procedures and areas of growth for the consortium.
Conclusions: Through support and collaboration, McLean’s Peer Research Consortium has made valuable contributions to understanding the impact of peer work for clients, staff, and community members in a large psychiatric hospital system. By establishing consortiums in other clinics and hospitals, Certified Peer Specialists voices in research can be better implemented while circulating findings to improve overall client care and outcomes.