Staff expectations of an Australian integrated model of residential rehabilitation for people with severe and persisting mental illness: a pragmatic grounded theory analysis
Open accessAbstract
Mental health services increasingly involve peer support workers. Staff expectations of working in these services are important because they frame processes and cultures that develop within services, and influence work satisfaction, staff retention, and consumer experience. We examined staff expectations at two new community-based residential rehabilitation units trialing a staffing model where most staff are employed based on their lived experience of mental illness. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten peer support workers and five clinical staff on commencement at Community Care Units that opened in 2014 and 2015. Staff views covered individual motivations, emerging organizational practices and culture, and the nature and philosophy of recovery and recovery-oriented rehabilitation. Subtle differences were evident in staff understandings of recovery and recovery-oriented rehabilitation. Staff were mostly optimistic about the services' potential but expressed uncertainty about how the professions would work together and practicalities of the new roles. Concerns that staff foreshadowed are consistent with those reported in the literature and can be pre-emptively addressed. Future research on staff experiences will enhance understanding of how staff perceptions of recovery-oriented rehabilitation change over time, and of how these relate to consumer experiences and outcomes.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
As highlighted by McKenna et al. and Muerk et al., CCUs are in a transition from a clinically-oriented rehabilitative model of care to one informed by a recovery framework.
“As highlighted by McKenna et al. (2) and Muerk et al. (46), CCUs are in a transition from a clinically-oriented rehabilitative model of care to one informed by a recovery framework.”
From Implementing an action over inertia group program in community residential rehabilitation services: group participant and facilitator perspectives (2021) · cites this paper as [46]
The latter study by Muerk et al. explored an integrated staffing model involving peer support and clinical staff, highlighting the potential of bringing together lived experience and therapeutic perspectives to foster recovery-promoting environments within Australian CCU service settings.
“The latter study by Muerk et al. explored an integrated staffing model involving peer support and clinical staff, highlighting the potential of bringing together lived experience and therapeutic perspectives to foster recovery-promoting environments within Australian CCU service settings.”
From Implementing an action over inertia group program in community residential rehabilitation services: group participant and facilitator perspectives (2021) · cites this paper as [46]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Tong, A., Sainsbury, P., & Craig, J. (2007) · International Journal for Quality in Health Care · doi:10.1093/intqhc/mzm042 · Cited by 42,509 · see citing works
Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (1988) · Cited by 20,701 · see citing works
Recovery from mental illness: the guiding vision of the mental health service system in the 1990s
Anthony, W. A. (1993) · Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal · doi:10.1037/h0095655 · Cited by 3,700 · see citing works
Implementing, Embedding, and Integrating Practices: An Outline of Normalization Process Theory
May, C., & Finch, T. (2009) · Sociology · doi:10.1177/0038038509103208 · Cited by 2,115 · see citing works
Development of a theory of implementation and integration: Normalization Process Theory
May, C. R., Mair, F., Finch, T., MacFarlane, A., Dowrick, C., Treweek, S., Rapley, T., Ballini, L., Ong, B. N., Rogers, A., et al. (2009) · Implementation Science · doi:10.1186/1748-5908-4-29 · Cited by 1,409 · cited 1× · see citing works
“The overall coherence in views on recovery and recovery-oriented practice between peer and clinical staff indicates a key support factor for the implementation of PSW roles under the integrated staffing model (22, 35, 36).”
BackgroundUses and abuses of recovery: implementing recovery-oriented practices in mental health systems
Slade, M., Amering, M., Farkas, M., Hamilton, B., O'Hagan, M., Panther, G., Perkins, R., Shepherd, G., Tse, S., & Whitley, R. (2014) · World Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/wps.20084 · Cited by 949 · see citing works
Peer support among persons with severe mental illnesses: a review of evidence and experience
DAVIDSON, L., BELLAMY, C., GUY, K., & MILLER, R. (2012) · World Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.wpsyc.2012.05.009 · Cited by 913 · cited 6× · see citing works
“Finally, a few staff identified a lack of role clarity and distinctiveness as possible risks (14, 19–22).”
InfluentialLloyd-Evans, B., Mayo-Wilson, E., Harrison, B., Istead, H., Brown, E., Pilling, S., Johnson, S., & Kendall, T. (2014) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/1471-244x-14-39 · Cited by 558 · see citing works
Implementing Recovery Oriented Evidence Based Programs: Identifying the Critical Dimensions
Farkas, M. D., Gagne, C., Anthony, W. A., & Chamberlin, J. (2005) · Community Mental Health Journal · doi:10.1007/s10597-005-2649-6 · Cited by 326 · see citing works
Deegan, P. E. (1992) · Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal · doi:10.1037/h0095769 · Cited by 229 · see citing works
Toward the Implementation of Mental Health Consumer Provider Services
Chinman, M., Young, A. S., Hassell, J., & Davidson, L. (2006) · The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research · doi:10.1007/s11414-006-9009-3 · Cited by 161 · see citing works
Boutillier, C. L., Chevalier, A., Lawrence, V. C., Leamy, M. C., Bird, V. J., Macpherson, R., Williams, J., & Slade, M. (2015) · Implementation Science · doi:10.1186/s13012-015-0275-4 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
Authentic peer support work: challenges and opportunities for an evolving occupation
Gruhl, K. R., Lacarte, S., & Calixte, S. L. (2015) · Journal of Mental Health · doi:10.3109/09638237.2015.1057322 · Cited by 130 · see citing works
“What is the work of Recovery Oriented Practice? A systematic literature review”
Chester, P., Ehrlich, C., Warburton, L., Baker, D., Kendall, E. A., & Crompton, D. (2016) · International Journal of Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/inm.12241 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
A helping hand: taking peer support into the 21st century
Faulkner, A., & Basset, T. (2012) · Mental Health and Social Inclusion · doi:10.1108/20428301211205892 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Hiring Consumer-Providers: Barriers and Alternative Solutions
Carlson, L. S., Rapp, C. A., & McDiarmid, D. (2001) · Community Mental Health Journal · doi:10.1023/a:1017569913118 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Peer workers in mental health services: literature overview
Gillard, S., & Holley, J. (2014) · Advances in Psychiatric Treatment · doi:10.1192/apt.bp.113.011940 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Killaspy, H. T., White, S. J., Wright, C., Salisbury, T. T., Turton, P., Schützwohl, M., Schuster, M., Cervilla, J. A., Brangier, P., Raboch, J., et al. (2011) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/1471-244x-11-35 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Implementation of Consumer Providers into Mental Health Intensive Case Management Teams
Hamilton, A. B., Chinman, M., Cohen, A. N., Oberman, R. S., & Young, A. S. (2013) · The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research · doi:10.1007/s11414-013-9365-8 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Integrating consumer staff members into a homeless outreach project: Critical issues and strategies.
Fisk, D., Rowe, M., Brooks, R. A., & Gildersleeve, D. (2000) · Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal · doi:10.1037/h0095161 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Exploring the meaning of recovery‐oriented care: An action‐research study
Kidd, S., Kenny, A. J., & McKinstry, C. (2014) · International Journal of Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/inm.12095 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Therapeutic risk-taking: A justifiable choice
Felton, A., Wright, N., & Stacey, G. (2017) · BJPsych Advances · doi:10.1192/apt.bp.115.015701 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Parker, S., Dark, F. L., Newman, E., Korman, N., Rasmussen, Z., & Meurk, C. (2016) · International Journal of Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/inm.12251 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Mental health recovery: lived experience of consumers, carers and nurses
Jacob, S., Munro, I., & Taylor, B. J. (2015) · Contemporary Nurse · doi:10.1080/10376178.2015.1012040 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Recovery-oriented mental health practice in a community care unit: an exploratory study
McKenna, B., Oakes, J., Fourniotis, N., Toomey, N., & Furness, T. (2016) · Journal of Forensic Nursing · doi:10.1097/jfn.0000000000000127 · Cited by 31 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Staff also displayed an awareness of challenges that can emerge (3, 4).”
BackgroundA critical discussion of Peer Workers: implications for the mental health nursing workforce
Hurley, J., Cashin, A. J., Mills, J., Hutchinson, M., & GRAHAM, I. W. (2016) · Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/jpm.12286 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Parker, S., Dark, F. L., Newman, E., Korman, N., Meurk, C., Siskind, D. J., & Harris, M. (2016) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-016-0882-x · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Peer support in mental health: where are we today?
Lawton-Smith, S. H. (2013) · The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice · doi:10.1108/jmhtep-03-2013-0009 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Parker, S., Meurk, C., Newman, E., Fletcher, C., Swinson, I., & Dark, F. L. (2018) · International Journal of Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/inm.12461 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Parker, S., Dark, F. L., Newman, E., Hanley, D., McKinlay, W. W., & Meurk, C. (2017) · Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences · doi:10.1017/s2045796017000749 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Meehan, T., STEDMAN, T. J., Parker, S., Curtis, B., & Jones, D. S. (2016) · Australian Health Review · doi:10.1071/ah15207 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
A substantial peer workforce in a psychiatric service will improve patient outcomes: the case for
Dark, F. L., Patton, M., & Newton, R. (2017) · Australasian Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/1039856217700297 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Integrated staffing model for residential mental health rehabilitation
Parker, S., Dark, F. L., Vilic, G., McCann, K. L., O'Sullivan, R., Doyle, C., & Lendich, B. (2016) · Mental Health and Social Inclusion · doi:10.1108/mhsi-12-2015-0043 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Care or recovery? Redefining residential rehabilitation
Saraf, S., & Newton, R. (2016) · Australasian Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/1039856216671662 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
O’Connor, N., Clark, S. C., & Ryan, C. J. (2017) · Australasian Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/1039856217700777 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Further Reflections on Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Practice in a Community Care Unit
Parker, S., Siskind, D. J., & Meurk, C. (2017) · Journal of Forensic Nursing · doi:10.1097/jfn.0000000000000150 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Thoughts on ‘Redefining residential rehabilitation in Australia’
Parker, S., Siskind, D. J., & Dark, F. L. (2017) · Australasian Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/1039856216689534 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Parker, S., Hopkins, G., Siskind, D. J., Harris, M., McKeon, G. L., Dark, F. L., & Whiteford, H. (2019) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-019-2019-5 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Parker, S., Arnautovska, U., Korman, N., Harris, M., & Dark, F. L. (2022) · Community Mental Health Journal · doi:10.1007/s10597-022-01023-8 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Rees, E. F., Ennals, P., & Fossey, E. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.624803 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Parker, S., Dark, F. L., Newman, E., Wyder, M., Pommeranz, M., Walgers, R., & Meurk, C. (2022) · Community Mental Health Journal · doi:10.1007/s10597-022-01054-1 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Parker, S., Wyder, M., Pommeranz, M., Newman, E., Meurk, C., & Dark, F. L. (2021) · International Journal of Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/inm.12842 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Lerbæk, B., Johansen, K. K., Burholt, A. K., Gregersen, L. M., Terp, M., Slade, M., Castelein, S., & Jørgensen, R. (2024) · International Journal of Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/inm.13349 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Smith, P., Thompson, A., & Madill, A. (2023) · International Journal of Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/inm.13160 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Implementation Considerations and Key Challenges
Evans, M. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-29042-8_8 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Diversity in Programmatic Features, Peer Support Strategies, Potential Mechanisms, and Outcomes
Evans, M. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-29042-8_7
Experiences and wellbeing of family members and carers, regarding PARCS across Victoria
Hamilton, B. E., Brophy, L. M., Harvey, C. A., Fossey, E. M., Swann, M., Reece, J., Morrisroe, E., Palmer, V. J., Meadows, G. N., Mihalopoulos, C., et al. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1777053
- Authors
- Meurk, C., Parker, S., Newman, E., & Dark, F.
- Affiliations
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Metro South Health (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Meurk, Carla
- Venue
- Frontiers in Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2019-07-08
- Volume
- 10
- Pages
- 468-468
- ISSN
- 1664-0640 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC6628871
- OpenAlex
- W2949176334
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 1.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Frontiers in Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Griffith Research Online (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices
- Keywords
- peer support workers, employee expectations, residential rehabilitation, severe and persistent mental illness, community mental health services, organizational culture, professional collaboration, employee retention, employee motivation
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
