title: Effectiveness of peer support in reducing readmissions of persons with multiple psychiatric hospitalizations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of using peer support to reduce recurrent psychiatric hospitalizations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled design was used, with follow-up at nine months after an index discharge from an academically affiliated psychiatric hospital. Patients were 18 years or older with major mental illness and had been hospitalized three or more times in the prior 18 months. Seventy-four patients were recruited, randomly assigned to usual care (N=36) or to a peer mentor plus usual care (N=38), and assessed at nine months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants who were assigned a peer mentor had significantly fewer rehospitalizations (.89 ± 1.35 versus 1.53 ± 1.54; p=.042 [one-tailed]) and fewer hospital days (10.08 ± 17.31 versus 19.08 ± 21.63 days; p<.03, [one tailed]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the study's limitations, findings suggest that use of peer mentors is a promising intervention for reducing recurrent psychiatric hospitalizations for patients at risk of readmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry,Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. william.sledge@yale.edu
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Sledge
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lawless
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sells
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wieland
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Davidson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003237:Connecticut; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission; D010379:Peer Group; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult