Consumers, carers, and clinicians in collaboration: What does this mean?

The puzzling nature of major mental illnesses creates conflict among the key players. This causes family carers, consumers (patients), and clinicians to work in different directions. In order to achieve better results for people with schizophrenia, this paper suggests a three-stage model of treatment and care that utilizes the experiential knowledge of consumers and carers along with the professional knowledge of clinicians in a process of collaboration. This process gradually changes the power dimension from the clinician to the consumer and carer, so that the latter are more able to take control of their situation as then self-esteem and confidence are restored. This further enables family carers and consumers to take on active roles as advocates and advisors in many areas of mental health policy and reform. Underlying these techniques is the basic understanding that carers, consumers, and clinicians are equal partners. Doctors must change their negative attitudes, join with family carers and consumers in an equal partnership, and support consumers and carers to develop their own strengths and resources. Some family carers and consumers are then able to become valuable assets in many aspects of treatment and care.