Team P.E.E.R. - Peer-2-Peer Research

Patients Empowered & Engaged as Researchers

Using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, Team P.E.E.R. (Patients Empowered & Engaged as Researchers) is made up of a diverse group of eight co-researchers. These co-researchers are adults who are diagnosed with a mental illness and are receiving treatment services at the BC Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (BC FPH). The team is designing and implementing a research project on a topic they deem meaningful and important to them regarding their experience of care at the BC FPH. In this initiative, patients are being placed in the driver’s seat of a study as co-researchers.

PAR is emerging as an important way of working with individuals who are members of a marginalized social group, including people with mental health and substance use problems. Previous research suggests that patients are likely to experience several benefits from being involved in the Team P.E.E.R., including increased confidence, enhanced knowledge and skills, better self-efficacy and self-esteem, and an improved sense of empowerment.

For further information, please contact Dr. Jamie Livingston at [email protected].