THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF AN OCCUPATION: PEER WORKER

Abstract

The involvement of beneficiaries of social or medical care services in the design, provision and evaluation of services is an accepted and used practice. A number of steadily growing studies show encouraging effects both for beneficiaries who have become care providers and for other beneficiaries. Moreover, some results suggest cost reductions and an increase in the degree of suitability of the services offered. The occupational status of peer workers varies from beneficiaries included in therapeutic programs, volunteering, to part-time or full-time employee, member of multidisciplinary intervention team (such as in Australia, Canada, Scotland, Norway). Starting from international experience and analysing national particularities, it is suggested that areas of social and / or medical care in Romania could benefit from the contribution of peer-workers.