Peer Support Workers as a Bridge: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Role of Peer Support Workers in the Care of People Who Use Drugs During and After Hospitalization

Background: To describe the key qualities and unique roles of peer support workers in the care of people who inject drugs during and after hospitalization.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study. Key stakeholders were recruited including: people who use drugs who had been hospitalized, healthcare team members, peer support workers, and employers of peer support workers. Data was collected from 2019-2020 using semi-structured interviews that …