Understanding the impact of expert by experience roles in mental health education

Brenda Happell; Aine O'Donovan; Julie Sharrock; Terri Warner; Sarah Gordon

doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105324

Understanding the impact of expert by experience roles in mental health education

Nurse Educ Today. 2022 Apr:111:105324. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105324. Epub 2022 Mar 5.

Authors

Brenda Happell¹, Aine O'Donovan², Julie Sharrock³, Terri Warner⁴, Sarah Gordon⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, 2308, Australia; Hunter Institute of Medical Research, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, 2308, Australia; Priority Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, 2308, Australia. Electronic address: Brenda.happell@newcastle.edu.au.
² Office of Deputy President and Registrar, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; School of Nursing and Midwifery, ENGAGE: Interdisciplinary Clinical Mental health Research Network, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: aine.horgan@ucc.ie.
³ School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia. Electronic address: Julie.Sharrock@uon.edu.au.
⁴ Master of Culture, Health and Medicine (Advanced), School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia; ACT Mental Health Consumer Network, Genge Street, Canberra 2600, Australia. Electronic address: Terri.warner@newcastle.edu.au.
⁵ Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, New Zealand. Electronic address: sarah.e.gordon@otago.ac.nz.

PMID: 35278940
DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105324

Abstract

Background: People with lived experience of mental distress and mental health service use (known as Experts by Experience) in mental health education have demonstrated positive outcomes and attitudinal change in students. Despite these findings, academic positions for Experts by Experience remain limited in number and scope, and the implementation of positions has primarily been driven by supportive mental health academics (known as allies). Less is known about the impact on Experts by Experience themselves, their colleagues and the broader organisation.

Objectives: The aim of this research is to better understand the impact of EBE on the universities they work in, from the perspectives of allies who have supported the implementation and sustainability of their positions.

Design: Qualitative exploratory.

Settings: Academic institutions providing education programs for health professionals, and had implemented academic positions for Experts by Experience, in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand.

Participants: Allies involved in supporting the implementation of Experts by Experience roles in mental health education (n = 16).

Methods: Ethics approval was obtained prior to study commencement. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 participants, based on a broad interview guide. Data were analysed to identify main themes. Analysis was conducted independently by two researchers and reviewed by the team.

Results: Participants described the impact of Experts by Experience in mental health education as positively influencing the participants themselves, the Experts by Experience, their colleagues, and the broader organisational culture.

Conclusions: Support for the implementation of Experts by Experience roles must move beyond the efforts of allies alone. Demonstrating the benefits beyond student outcomes is crucial to achieving this goal. The positive impact for a broader range of stakeholders provides further evidence of the value of Experts by Experience and supports the need to develop a more strategic approach to implementation of these roles.

Keywords: Allies; Attitudes; Education; Experts by experience; Health professionals; Mental health.

MeSH terms

Health Education
Health Personnel
Humans
Mental Disorders*
Mental Health
Mental Health Services*
Qualitative Research