title: Participant experiences in peer- and clinician-facilitated mental health recovery groups for veterans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to characterize and compare participants' experiences of peer-facilitated versus clinician-facilitated recovery groups for veterans with mental illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed qualitative data from 24 interviews with veterans who participated in mental health recovery groups led by peer or clinician facilitators.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subtle differences in group structure, participation/communication and utility/relevance between peer- and clinician-facilitated groups were identified. Participants experienced both peer and clinician facilitators as helpful in promoting recovery, though they appeared to do this in different ways.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peer and clinician facilitators offer different strengths in the promotion of mental health recovery.
authors.affiliation: Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beehler
authors.affiliation: CHOIR, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital.
authors.forename: Jack A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: CHOIR, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital.
authors.forename: Susan V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Eisen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010379:Peer Group; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*