title: People with dementia as peer workers, challenges, and benefits: a thematic analysis and nominal groups study.
abstract: There are national initiatives to involve service users in service delivery. However, programs employing people with dementia as peer support workers (PSWs) in memory services are in their infancy. This study is the first to explore the challenges and benefits to staff and peers involved in such a program.
  
  
  
  Focus groups, structured based on nominal groups (NG) methodology were run with PSWs and clinical staff from two memory services. In total, there were 12 participants, with three focus groups: PSWs alone (n = 3); staff members alone (n = 6); and PSWs and staff members combined (n = 6). Data were analyzed through thematic analysis of recorded session content and the ranking of themes inherent in an NG approach.
  
  
  
  Perceived benefits of the PSW program were similar for staff and PSWs and included personal benefits for PSWS and stereotype reduction for staff. More challenges were reported by staff than PSWs, but both groups agreed that role definition and dealing with the cognitive deterioration inherent in dementia were key issues.
  
  
  
  The PSW program does have benefits for involved staff and PSWs. However, the challenges identified highlight the need for careful and consensual setup and consideration of power dynamics, with agreed roles and clear guidelines to deal with cognitive deterioration.
authors.affiliation: Research Department of Clinical,Educational and Health Psychology,University College London,Gower Street WC1E 6BT,London,UK.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stott
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychology and Language Science,University College London,London,UK.
authors.forename: Joanne Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sweeney
authors.affiliation: INC Research,2 Meadows Business Park,Station Approach,Blackwater,GU17 9AB,Camberley,UK.
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Koschalka
authors.affiliation: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust,London,UK.
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Research Department of Clinical,Educational and Health Psychology,University College London,Gower Street WC1E 6BT,London,UK.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mwale
mesh_terms: D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: dementia; memory clinics; qualitative research; quality of life