Peer-supported Open Dialogue: a thematic analysis of trainee perspectives on the approach and training

Background: Open Dialogue (OD) is a Finnish social network based model of care, with practice and organisational aspects. Peer-supported Open Dialogue (POD) is a UK version involving peer workers, whose contributions include building on fragmented social networks. Fifty-four NHS staff undertook the first training in POD between 2014 and 2015. The training course was organised as four separate residential weeks, together with reflective sharing on an online platform. Aims: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of the POD trainees on the training and the POD approach. Methods: At the end of the training year, four focus groups were conducted using a semi-structured interview measure examining trainees’ perspectives on the training and POD approach. A thematic analysis was performed on the transcripts to analyse data. Results: Four superordinate themes emerged: personal experience, practice development, principles of POD, and pedagogical issues, each with a variety of subordinate themes. Conclusions: The course was widely reported as a positive experience, with substantial changes in attitudes and approaches to clinical work arising thus. Across the four superordinate themes, participant responses described a highly experiential course, experienced as an emotional journey which enabled them to embody the principles of POD, as well as use them at work.