The purpose of this study was to assess mental health clinicians’ attitudes about mental health consumer
participation in inpatient psychiatric units. A cross-sectional survey design was used with a non-probability
sample of 47 clinicians in the psychiatric units of a large Australian hospital. The results showed that gender,
length of time as a clinician, and how long the staff worked in the units influenced their attitudes about
consumer involvement. Females were more likely than males to support consumer participation in management
and consumer consultants. Less experienced staff showed greater support than more experienced staff
for mental health consumer involvement in treatment-related matters and consumer consultants in units.New
staff members were more likely to register agreement-to-uncertainty regarding consumer involvement in
treatment-related issues, whereas established staff members were more likely to record uncertainty about this
issue. The findings showed that although reports and policies promoted participation, some clinicians were
reluctant to accept consumer and consultant involvement.