TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose The purpose of this study is to highlight the impacts that service user involvement can have on the education of UK undergraduate student mental health nurses both personally and professionally. It reports the findings from a short module evaluation of a collaboratively delivered theory unit using a qualitative approach.Design/methodology/approach The study reports the findings from a short module evaluation of a collaboratively delivered theory unit using a qualitative approach embracing two focus groups.Findings The findings from the two focus groups highlight that the service user input (expert by experience) offered a positive learning experience for the students, enabled them to appreciate the meaning of recovery and hope and facilitated the identification of the importance of their role in terms of connecting meaningfully with those they are supporting and reconsidering key priorities for practice. They also suggest that there is theory/practice gap reduction as students were able to connect the service user narratives to the evidence base for deeper understanding and application.Research limitations/implications Although only a brief evaluation of a short theory module within a wider programme involving a small number of participants, the findings echo the wider literature and offers further rationale to support direct service user involvement within mental health education across all healthcare professions. This finding is also relevant, as, increasingly, learning/teaching programmes now seek to implement blended learning with significant online teaching and less face-to-face facilitation of learning.Practical implications This study highlights not only the positive impact of service user input on health-care education but also the benevolent influence skilled narratives can have as a pedagogical approach to learning.Originality/value Although there is much in the literature as to the benefits for student learning in involving service users within higher education institute education, there is limited information as to “how” and “why” this is the case, this article seeks to bridge that gap.
VL  - 15
IS  - 3
SN  - 1755-6228
DO  - 10.1108/JMHTEP-12-2018-0073
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-12-2018-0073
AU  - Jack Eleanor
PY  - 2020
Y1  - 2020/01/01
TI  - Service user involvement in an undergraduate nursing programme
T2  - The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 125
EP  - 140
Y2  - 2024/05/13
ER  -