Catharina Greyvenstein
Research Details
Thesis Name
Beyond a Title: Clarifying and exploring the role of the ‘mental health clinician’ in Queensland Health through a historical, geographical, and interdisciplinary lens.Thesis Abstract
The term mental health clinician is widely used within Queensland Health to describe a multidisciplinary workforce; however, its meaning, purpose, and implications remain poorly defined. This study investigates how the title has emerged, evolved, and is operationalised across Queensland Health, and examines its influence on professional identity, role clarity, and interdisciplinary practice. Grounded in critical realism, the research employs a qualitative multi-site embedded case study design in.
Why My Research is Important/Impacts
This research is important because the term “mental health clinician” is widely used across Queensland Health despite lacking a consistent definition. By examining how this terminology shapes professional identity, role clarity, and interdisciplinary practice, the study will address an important gap in workforce and mental health service research. Findings will provide the first statewide analysis of how the title is understood and operationalised across policy and practice. The anticipated impact includes informing workforce policy, improving role delineation, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, reducing duplication and ambiguity, and supporting more coordinated, efficient, and person-centred mental health care across Queensland Health.
