1. The relationship between
Consumer Preceptor and
Postgraduate Nurse
Influence on Consumer Care and
Reflective Practice
A Student Nurse Perspective
James Shanahan - MWAMHS

2. Consumer Perspective Preceptor
Program - Background
• A partnership developed between the
Centre for Psychiatric Research and
Practice (CPNRP) and the Melbourne
Consumer Consultants group to obtain
Federal funding for the Consumer
Perspective Preceptorship Project (CPPP).
• Ms Cath Roper, Consumer Academic,
CPNRP coordinated the program.

3. Consumer Perspective Preceptor
Program - Background
In an observation about mental health
professionals, Brooks (1995, p.1013) stated:
• “What is no longer remarkable to me is that
the most dehumanising and stigmatising
interactions have been within the
professional community of mental health
treatment and research.”

4. Findings of Discrimination in the
Mental Health Workforce
The National Mental Health Strategy.
Funding to Deakin University:
• To explore the education and training needs
of mental health practitioners
• Discovered a climate of discriminatory
practices existed

5. National Mental Health Statistics
The latest statistics indicate that one in five
people at sometime in their lives will
experience mental illness.
Mental Illness does not discriminate,
PEOPLE DO!

6. The Primary Aim of the
Consumer Perspective Preceptor
Program
• “To increase students awareness and sensitivity to
greater consumer participation within the mental
health arena” (Roper 2003)
• A further aim was to enable students to reflect and
consider alternative views and ideas in relation to
professional practice (Roper, 2003)

7. Implementation of the Consumer
Perspective Preceptor Program
• The program was introduced through the
Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical
Nursing (Mental Health Stream) -
Melbourne University by Ms Cath Roper,
Consumer Academic.
• The program was implemented in
collaboration with Consumer Preceptors
and Postgraduate nurses.

8. Consumer Perspective Preceptor
Program
• The CPP program provided an opportunity
to develop a relationship between a
consumer preceptor and a postgraduate
nurse that would offer a foundation for
reflective practice, enhance nursing practice
and outcomes for consumers of mental
health services. (Roper, 2003)

9. Consumer Perspective Preceptor
Program
A Consumer Preceptor:
Is a person who provides guidance and
support to student nurses utilising their first
hand consumer experience of the Mental
Health System.

10. Evaluation of the Consumer
Perspective Preceptor Program
• Student and Consumer Preceptor feedback
was an integral part of the overall
evaluation process of the program.
• Ms Lyndall Grimshaw, Independent
Consultant evaluated the program in terms
of student views and outcomes.
• Ms Cath Roper, Consumer Academic
evaluated the program in terms of
Consumer Preceptor views and outcomes.

11. Evaluation of the Consumer
Perspective Preceptor Program
Ms Cath Roper completed:
• A self evaluation report on the Consumer Perspective
Preceptorship Program in February 2003.
• Personal Reflection Paper: The role of the Consumer
Academic - “First you say one thing, and then another, we
can’t win” Reflections on Consumer Academic Teaching.
•
• Research was conducted by Ms Cath Roper and Brenda
Happell, Director of CPNRP on student feedback and
responses to the CPPP program.

12. Consumer Preceptor Concerns
• Maintenance of personal and professional boundaries
• Confidentiality
• Maintaining clarity about the role in supporting and
facilitating learning
• Remaining objective
• The value of Consumer Preceptorship to students,
particularly in relation to contentious issues such as nursing
practices that impinge on Consumers’ rights

13. Addressing Consumer Preceptor
Concerns
Most concerns were addressed through:
• The development of a trusting relationship
between the Consumer and the Postgraduate
nurse, and
• Peer support through a network of
Consumer Preceptors and the Project
committee.

14. Personal Concerns as a
Postgraduate Student Nurse
• Questioning of personal values and beliefs.
• Workload commitments
• Value of my own nursing practice
• Involvement in the program
• Views of colleagues and other professionals

15. Addressing Personal Concerns
as a Postgraduate Nurse
Personal concerns were overcome by:
• Belief in the value of the program
• Discussion and feedback from colleagues and others
• Rapport and trust developed with the Consumer Preceptor
• Support from the ward based preceptor and Ms Roper
• Demonstration of the worth of the program to colleagues

16. Outcomes of the CPPP Program
from a Personal Perspective
• A ‘mental shift’ in the framework in which all
aspects of clinical practice are couched within a
Consumer partnership and participation model.
• Increased respect, insight and empathy with
Consumers.
• Commitment to Consumer Participation and
empowerment demonstrated in clinical practice.

17. Outcomes of the CPP Program from a
Postgraduate Student Nurse Perspective
• Understanding of the power of empathy and
hearing Consumers’ stories
• Appreciation of the importance of advocacy
within the nurses role
• Improved relationships with Consumers

18. Consumer Perspective Preceptor
Program - References
• Brooks,E. The Politics of Diagnostic Identity.
Psychiatric Services 1995, 46(10) p. 1013-14.
• Happell,B. & Roper,C. The Role of the Mental Health Consumer in
the Education of Postgraduate Nursing Students: The Students
Evaluation. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
2003, 26(2) pp. 343-350.
• Ralph,R. (2002). The Dynamics of Disclosure: It’s Impact on
Recovery and Rehabilitation Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal,
26(2) pp.165-172.
• Roper,C. (2002). Self-Evaluation: Consumer Perspective
Preceptorship Program. Centre for Psychiatric Research and
Practice.