title: A framework for mental health consumers to evaluate service provision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper outlines a proposed framework including values, principles and steps, developed by consumers, to evaluate mental health services from a consumer's perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  A research team consisting of consumer researchers, established academics and students developed the framework. The team had already conducted qualitative research with consumers of mental health services. Using these experiences and the evaluation literature, the proposed framework was developed over a series of 13 meetings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An evaluation framework, which describes the values underpinning consumer-directed evaluation of mental health services and the principles and steps to follow in conducting this type of evaluation, is presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evaluation framework will guide consumers and services in conducting consumer-directed evaluation of mental health services, and assist in developing more genuine consumer participation in services.
authors.affiliation: Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, iiMH, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia. mhcopes@tpg.com.au
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malins
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Morland
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strang
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dowson
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Eman
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oades
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003256:Community Participation; D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research