„Patients consult patients“: first results

Aim was to assess the practicability of a patient-led consultation for mentally-ill patients. A consultation for patients of an open ward with mainly schizophrenic patients, led by a patient with remitted schizoaffective disorder, was established in 2004. The duration of a single consultation is 30 min (2 patients/week). Issues to be discussed are raised from the patients. The patient consultant records issue and duration of the consultation, patient’s behaviour, advises given, usefulness of the consultation. The participants record what they liked (not liked) about the consultation and if they recommended it to other patients. Afterwards, a medical supervision takes place for evaluating the usefulness of this project and relieving the patient consultant, if necessary. 55 consultations were conducted during the first year, few patients participated several times. The issues most often raised were: medication, depressive thoughts or living with mental illness in general. According to the patient consultant, 26% of the concerns were completely, 61% partially and 13% not solved; 73% of consultations were useful for the patient, 2% were not (26% not sure). 96% of the participants would recommend the consultation to other patients. Most appreciated was the possibility to talk with a person who is experienced with living with a mental illness himself. First results indicate that „patients consult patients“ is an useful addition to standard treatment on a psychiatric ward.