Gordon Sarah
Case Consulting Ltd., Wellington, New Zealand.
Australas Psychiatry. 2005 Dec;13(4):362-5. doi: 10.1080/j.1440-1665.2005.02215.x.
To reflect on consumer involvement in the leadership and management of mental health services through consideration of relevant policy directives, pertinent literature and current practice, and to consider the role of psychiatrists in promoting consumer involvement.
Both Australia and New Zealand have significant policy directives in relation to consumer involvement in mental health services. The actual realization of consumer involvement within the mental health sector is extremely variable and the extent of genuine participation highly questionable, particularly in regard to leadership and management roles. It is important that the rationale for consumer involvement is continually highlighted and understood by all mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, so as to discourage the practice of including consumers solely for the sake of adhering to political policies. The attitudes of health professionals have been identified as having the most significant impact on consumer involvement. It is questionable whether the critical contribution of consumer involvement in mental health services should remain dependent on the attitudes of non-consumers within the sector. In New Zealand, a paradigm shift is occurring with consumer involvement moving from a construct of 'participation' to one of 'leadership'. Psychiatrists can, and should, play a significant role in advocating for the development of mental health services in directions which support and promote consumer involvement at all levels.
通过对相关政策指令、相关文献和当前实践的思考，反思消费者在心理健康服务的领导和管理中的参与情况，并探讨精神科医生在促进消费者参与方面的作用。
澳大利亚和新西兰在消费者参与心理健康服务方面都有重要的政策指令。心理健康领域内消费者参与的实际实现情况差异极大，真正参与的程度也很值得怀疑，尤其是在领导和管理角色方面。所有心理健康专业人员，包括精神科医生，都必须持续强调并理解消费者参与的基本原理，以避免仅仅为了遵循政治政策而让消费者参与的做法。已确定卫生专业人员的态度对消费者参与影响最大。消费者参与心理健康服务的关键贡献是否应继续依赖该领域非消费者的态度，这是个问题。在新西兰，正发生范式转变，消费者参与从“参与”的概念转变为“领导”的概念。精神科医生能够且应该在倡导心理健康服务朝着支持和促进各级消费者参与的方向发展方面发挥重要作用。
