Peer work is now known in Switzerland for 10 years and has developed strongly. The aim of the study was to describe peer support specialists’ (PSSs’) work conditions and job satisfaction, as well as the challenges of integration into the workforce in Switzerland. A further aim was to identify possible development topics in the preparation of PSSs for working with peer support work (PSW) training and interventions within the working field. We launched a survey with a self‐developed questionnaire for people with lived experiences with mental illness and recovery who were working as PSSs or experts by experience in education, research, politics, and other areas in the German‐speaking region of Switzerland. The survey took place from 1 September 2017 to 15 November 2017. The results show that PSSs were working mostly in 1:1 contact with service users and in education and noticeably less in politics and research. Their work conditions and job satisfaction seemed good. Most PSSs had job descriptions matching their duties, were satisfied with their salaries, and indicated being satisfied or very satisfied with their work. Amongst other aspects, the greatest challenge reported was integration into the inter‐disciplinary working team. PSS training should better consider the working areas of experts by experience in the fields of politics and research to reinforce employment opportunities in these work areas. To increase the impacts of PSSs and to improve integration into the workspace, the preparation of professionals and institutions should be improved by means of information sessions, trainings, and guidelines.

Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie Erfassen der Arbeitsinhalte, Rollen und Aufgaben von Peers in psychiatrischen Dienstleistungen in der Deutschschweiz. Methode Fragebogengestützte Umfrage bei Peers in der Deutschschweiz. Ergebnisse Die meisten Befragten gaben an, in Bereichen zu arbeiten, die sich auf die Behandlung von Menschen mit Psychosen und affektive Erkrankungen spezialisiert haben und im direkten Kontakt mit Betroffenen tätig zu sein. Als Kernaspekt ihrer Tätigkeit wurde am häufigsten das „Brücken bauen“ zwischen Betroffenen und Fachpersonen genannt und das Vermitteln von Zuversicht, Empowerment aber auch Unterstützung beim Symptom- und Krankheitsmanagement wurde als Arbeitsaktivität angegeben. Die Mehrheit der Befragten verfügen über Stellenbeschreibungen, die mit ihren Tätigkeiten übereinstimmen. Schlussfolgerungen Für Anbieter psychiatrischer Dienstleistungen besteht die Herausforderung, die neue Berufsgruppe der Peers möglichst gut zu integrierten ohne ihre Nähe zu den Betroffenen oder ihre möglicherweise auch kritische Perspektive gegenüber der bestehenden Praxis zu schwächen.

Personal recovery is important for mental health services and service users; moreover, valid and reliable assessment instruments are necessary for measuring personal recovery. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the unidimensional factor structure of the German version of the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample. The questionnaire was completed by 200 patients of outpatient services of two psychiatric hospitals in Switzerland. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to validate the unidimensional factor structure of the German version of the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery. Cronbach's alpha was calculated to assess the internal consistency. The results showed an overall acceptable model fit (v 2 = 134.188, df = 90, P = 0.002; RMSEA = 0.050, 90% CI: 0.031-0.067; CFI = 0.937; TLI = 0.927) and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's a = 0.91). These results are consistent with those of studies that have examined the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery in other languages. This study provides preliminary evidence that the German version of the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery is a reliable assessment instrument for measuring personal recovery among people with mental illness experiences. However, it is necessary to conduct further psychometric tests to verify the validity and reliability of the instrument. The German version of the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery can be applied to both research and clinical practice, especially as a means of facilitating communication during the planning and evaluation of treatment goals.