BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to research the feasibility of training mental health
consumers as tutors for 4th year medical students in psychiatry.
METHODS: A partnership between a consumer network and an academic unit in Psychological
Medicine was formed to jointly develop a training package for consumer tutors and a curriculum
in interviewing skills for medical students. Student attitudes to mental health consumers were
measured pre and post the program. All tutorial evaluation data was analysed using univariate
statistics. Both tutors and students evaluated the teaching program using a 4 point rating scale. The
mean scores for teaching and content for both students and tutors were compared using an
independent samples t-test.
RESULTS: Consumer tutors were successfully trained and accredited as tutors and able to sustain
delivery of tutorials over a 4 year period. The study found that whilst the medical students started
with positive attitudes towards consumers prior to the program, there was a general trend
towards improved attitude across all measures. Other outcomes for tutors and students (both
positive and negative) are described.
CONCLUSIONS: Consumer tutors along with professional tutors have a place in the education of
medical students, are an untapped resource and deliver largely positive outcomes for students and
themselves. Further possible developments are described