title: Effective mental health consumer education: a preliminary exploration.
abstract: People with serious mental illnesses are increasingly becoming more active participants in their treatment and recovery. At times, their participation may be limited by incomplete, unclear, or insufficient information. The authors used a grounded theory approach to look at the unmet informational needs described by consumers. Participants in this study called for materials appropriate to their level of understanding, assistance with interpreting and comprehending information when necessary, and information on policies that affect the treatment they receive. Ultimately, an informed consumer is one empowered to make decisions about the course of his or her recovery and participate meaningfully in the patient-provider relationship.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland OR 97239, USA. bielavit@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Sarann
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bielavitz
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wisdom
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Pollack
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations