Saunders (1995) confirms that pabent parbcipabon is an
acbve process, as he advocates that it mvolves pabents
performing climcal or daily living skills, or partaking m
the decision-meLking process from tbe time of admission
unbl discbai^e Tbe value of pabent parbcipabon as a way
of enhancmg decision making bas been widely recognized
(World Healtb Orgamzabon 1978, Council of Europe 1982,
Audit Commission 1993) Clayton (1988) reports that
givmg pabents improved opportunify to take part m the
decision-malang process is customary, as it is considered
beneficial Clayton reports that it improves self-esteem and
mental bealtb, reduces alienabon, encourages a selfresponsible
atbtude towards bealtb and generally ennches
qualify of life Pabent parbcipabon bas also been seen to
focus on otber aspects of care, sucb as pabent compliance
witb treatment plans (Craig 1985), self-medicabon (Webb
et al 1990) pabent educabon (Wilson-Bamet & Osbome
1983) and sbanng mformabon and taking part m pbysical
care (Macleod Clark & Latter 1990) As Asbworth et al
(1992) maintam, it does not snnply entail mvolvmg
pabents in care plans