‘This is PEEP’ participatory qualitative study: learning from a provincial consultation and advisory group of people with lived and living experience of substance use in British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

Objectives To summarise PEEP’s (Professionals for Ethical Engagement of Peers—a group of consultants with lived and living experience of substance use) outputs and gain insights into PEEP’s impact and suggestions for the future.Design Included an environmental scan to collate PEEP activities and outputs and a participatory qualitative design using thematic analysis.Setting British Columbia, Canada.Participants Eight members of PEEP and nine staff/people who consulted PEEP were interviewed.Results PEEP members are co-authors/acknowledged for their input in 25 peer review publications and 16 reports; PEEP members co-presented or were co-authors on 33 presentations. PEEP meets by Zoom two times per week and is paid monthly via honorarium from the Provincial Health Service Authority at a current rate of $C30 per hour. Four themes emerged from our interviews: (1) What is PEEP? (PEEP provides a sense of community, holds systems accountable and inspires others), (2) PEEP Process (suggestions for improvement: consultants should be prepared and involve PEEP throughout the process and report how PEEP’s insights were used), (3) PEEP Outcomes (PEEP members gain skills and confidence, PEEP provides a reality check, consultants learn from PEEP, and input leads to practice changes) and (4) Future of PEEP (sustainable funding and opportunities for growth are critical).Conclusion PEEP is a cohesive group whose input is well-respected and influences policy and programmes. Given the ongoing drug toxicity emergency, it is critical to continue to support and expand PEEP.