Peer Engagement Principles and Best Practices: A Guide for BC Health Authorities and Other Providers, version 2

Guidelines
by
Greer, Alissa et al (BC Centre for Disease Control)

Release Date

2018

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

No

Objective

Peers can provide insights into the realities of substance use and their local risk environments, and the applicability of programs and policies. Peer engagement can be mutually beneficial in promoting health equity in programs and policies while building capacity for peers and health authority representatives.

Findings/Key points

We provide justification and support for enhancing peer engagement among BC health authorities, along with important considerations that provide the rationale for the best practice guidelines. We discuss that peer engagement is based on the theoretical roots of inclusion and equity, benefits to peer and providers, regional differences, sharing decision making power, addressing stigma and trust, organizational support, and independent networks of peers.

Keywords

Equity
Peer/PWLLE program involvement