Shedding Light on the Invisible Work of Peer Recovery Support Specialists through the Design of a Point of Care Technology.

Authors

• Jessica A Pater, Parkview Health
• Elisabeth Andrews, Parkview Health
• Michelle Drouin, Parkview Health
• Mindy Flanagan, Parkview Health
• Dana Albright, Parkview Health
• Rachel Pfafman, Parkview Health
• Jeanne Carroll, Parkview Health
• Erik Hess, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Tammy R Toscos, Parkview Health

Abstract

Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSSs) are certified professionals that provide social, informational, and logistical supportto people in recovery fromsubstance use disorders. In this study, we report the findings from design work completed with a teamof PRSSsto define workflowand informationalneeds for the developmentofa novel point of care software. Through our qualitative research we uncovered a significant amount of undocumented work that is necessary for a PRSS to provide individualized support to their clients. Thus, much PRSS work is not quantified and rendered "invisible." We present technology design strategies that help quantify these tasks and illuminate the complexity of PRSS work.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2026

Publication Title

AMIA Annual Symposium Proceedings

First Page

995

Last Page

1002

Recommended Citation

Pater, J.A., Andrews, E., Drouin, M., Flanagan, M., Albright, D., Pfafman, R., Carroll, J., Hess, E. and Toscos, T.R. (2026, February). Shedding Light on the Invisible Work of Peer Recovery Support Specialists through the Design of a Point of Care Technology. In AMIA Annual Symposium Proceedings (Vol. 2025, p. 995-1002).