Roles, responsibilities and role challenges of lived experience workers in a regional mental health service: a qualitative study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective The purpose of this study is to determine the views of Lived Experience Workers (LEWs) and Mental Health Clinicians (MHCs) from a regional mental health service in Victoria on the perceived roles, responsibilities and role challenges of LEWs. Methods This was a qualitative study that employed one-to-one interviews with LEWs and MHCs from a regional hospital in Victoria, Australia. Data were analysed thematically. Results Eight participants were interviewed for the study (5 LEWs and 3 MHCs). Five categories emerged from the data. They were: Views of mental health clinicians on the roles and responsibilities of LEWs, Views of a Peer Support Worker (PSW) on their roles and responsibilities, Roles and responsibilities of Consumer Consultants, Views of a Carer Consultant on their roles and responsibilities, and LEW role challenges. Some key findings were: PSWs also helped close the communication gap between the clinician and the consumer and helped in the education of medical students; Consumer and carer consultants had more advisory and leadership roles in the organisation; LEW roles were not formalised by the organisation resulting in some confusion. Conclusion Standardisation of the roles of the lived experience workforce in Victorian mental health services will require larger studies.