Training and/or Support Mechanisms for Both Educators and Patients in Mental Health Education: A Narrative Review

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the value of incorporating patient perspectives and experiences into healthcare education, however, for mental healthcare education the studies on this topic are still limited. This study aims to create an overview of the training and support mechanisms for patients and educators involved in mental healthcare education using a narrative synthesis. For patients, the focus in training mechanisms is on empowering individuals to share their unique experiences effectively, emphasizing communication, boundary-setting, and self-care practices. Educator training highlights the importance of creating a safe environment for patient involvement, facilitating student participation, and translating patient narratives into meaningful learning objectives. Support mechanisms for patients include institutional support, dedicated staff advocacy, and debriefing sessions, while educators are encouraged to prepare students for patient involvement and facilitate productive interactions between patients and learners. Key findings underscore the importance of readiness, communication, and meaningful engagement in successfully implementing patient experiences in mental healthcare education. As patient involvement becomes increasingly integrated into mental healthcare education, understanding and implementing effective training and support mechanisms are crucial for optimizing learning outcomes and promoting patient involvement.