title: Exploring the Scope of Consumer Participation in Mental Health Nursing Education: Perspectives From Nurses and Consumers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Exploration of the views and experiences of nurse academics and consumer academics and educators regarding the scope of consumer participation in mental health nursing education.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative, exploratory inquiry into the description and views of mental health nurse academics and consumer educators about these roles
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant variation in roles from guest speaker to substantive academic positions was evident, with most involvement brief and specifically teaching focused. Consumer participation in education was generally valued but noted to be limited in breadth and scope. Some concern was raised about the relevance of consumer academic roles, with a clear conceptualization of the consumer academic role necessary to facilitate their contribution to the education of health professionals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mental health consumer involvement in the education of nurses has been shown to impact positively on the attitudes of health professionals to people with mental illness. Advocacy for increased, meaningful input from consumers into nursing education is therefore necessary to improve practice.
authors: Research Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Practice, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra.|ACT Health, Research Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Practice, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
authors: Brenda
authors: B
authors: Happell
authors: Consumer, Carer and National Relations, Mental Health Branch, Mental Health, Wellbeing & Ageing Division, Department of Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Wanda
authors: W
authors: Bennetts
authors: Research Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Practice, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra and ACT Health, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Platania-Phung
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Public Health and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors: Jenny
authors: J
authors: Tohotoa
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003256:Community Participation; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D009726:Nurses; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Consumer participation; education; mental health; nursing