Patient's perspectives on the value of peer support after acquired brain injury: an exploratory study.

Abstract

Studies have shown positive socio-psychological effects of peer support for patients with acquired brain injury. However, little is known of what patients themselves understand and mean by peer support: what do they consider the added value? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with inductive thematic analysis. Four key-values were identified. Patients valued: 1) gaining perspective on a meaningful life, 2) receiving advice based on lived experience, 3) being with one another without having to explain everything and 4) having space to tell your story to someone with a similar story. Peer support increased their motivation for rehabilitation, protected them from pitfalls and decreased feelings of loneliness. Findings show the potential of optimizing regular rehabilitation services by the addition of peer supporters. This requires a reconsideration of existing organizational and cultural structures. Genuine integration of peer support within rehabilitation services can only occur when structural inequalities and power asymmetries are explicitly acknowledged and addressed.