By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    learn to recognize and treat yeast infections
    Most Commonly Asked Questions About Yeast Infections
    November 17, 2021
    Advanced lung cancer diagnosis systems used by doctors
    Advanced Lung Cancer Diagnosis Systems Used by Doctors
    March 6, 2022
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    June 13, 2022
    Latest News
    How to Combat Home Sickness After Moving Abroad
    March 19, 2023
    4 Ways to Recover from a Broken Hip
    March 14, 2023
    What Are Dietary Supplements: Purpose, Benefits, & Facts
    March 15, 2023
    5 Benefits of Receiving Acupuncture Regularly
    March 9, 2023
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Breast augmentation: Late-generation models of...
    Making Sense of the French Silicone Breast Implant Scare
    January 6, 2012
    FDA Approves New Drug for Cystic Fibrosis
    February 2, 2012
    The Future of Consumer-Directed Health Care
    August 24, 2017
    Latest News
    3 Ways to Improve the U.S. Healthcare System By 2030
    March 14, 2023
    6 Steps To Ensure Speed And Efficiency Of Clinical Studies
    March 14, 2023
    5 Most Valuable Healthcare Programs in 2023
    March 8, 2023
    The Everest Foundation’s Mission to Support Inclusive Healthcare
    February 24, 2023
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Democracy Comes to Healthcare
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Latest News
mental health tips
Caring for Your Mental Health Should Be a Top Priority
Mental Health
combat home sickness
How to Combat Home Sickness After Moving Abroad
Health News
depression signs
Early Signs of Depression that You Shouldn’t Ignore
Mental Health
positive mental health
How to Build a Positive Mental Health Environment
Mental Health
broken hip recovery
4 Ways to Recover from a Broken Hip
Health
Aa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Aa
Search
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > Democracy Comes to Healthcare
BusinessPublic HealthSocial Media

Democracy Comes to Healthcare

Paul Tunnah
Last updated: 2015/05/12 at 8:00 AM
Paul Tunnah
Share
5 Min Read
pharmaphorum
SHARE

pharmaphorumWe’ve just had a General Election in the UK, leading to some people being happy about the outcome and some to be less happy. In case you’ve missed all the excitement, the Conservative party gained a majority, so no longer need to operate as a coalition government, and the Scottish National Party won in almost every region in Scotland.

pharmaphorumWe’ve just had a General Election in the UK, leading to some people being happy about the outcome and some to be less happy. In case you’ve missed all the excitement, the Conservative party gained a majority, so no longer need to operate as a coalition government, and the Scottish National Party won in almost every region in Scotland.

But whether you think the outcome of the result is good, bad or indifferent, watching democracy in action is always interesting – and something we should never take for granted. Arguments aside about whether a ‘first past the post’ system is the best form of representative voting (that’s a whole separate discussion), the General Election gave everyone the chance to make their voice heard, by voting on who is elected to govern the country, based on the policies they present and the potential impact on the voters.

Surely the same logic should apply in all matters relating to healthcare? The patient, who most acutely feels the impact of healthcare decisions, should likewise be able to exercise their democratic right to have their say – and what better place to do so than at any of the myriad of health-related conferences taking place every week.

More Read

saving money in healthcare

Best Money-Saving Tips for Health Managers

HR Must Navigate Polarizing Views in Healthcare Workplaces
Should Hospitals Use SASE or Traditional Network Security?
The Technology and Services You Need to Open Your Own Counseling Office
Do You Need Life Insurance? What Does It Cover?

Which is why I think the ‘Patients Included’ initiative is such a smart – and democratic – idea.

It’s basic premise is that any conference, congress or event taking place within healthcare (which therefore has a consequent impact on patients’ lives) should ensure patients are not only actively involved in the event itself, but also in shaping its agenda. Based on some initial observations by Lucien Engelen, a long-time innovator in healthcare, and subsequently developed by a number of expert supporters, including a number of patients, the Patients Included Charter for Conferences has now been launched.

It states a number of clauses that conferences must adhere to in being classed as ‘Patients Included’, including the involvement of patients and caregivers in the development of the agenda and delivery of the conference (with their costs covered), plus access made available for virtual participants, including live video streaming where possible, to help other patients follow proceedings.

It’s a beautifully simple concept and one that I think will catch on, as more and more expert speakers refuse to attend conferences that do not meet the Patients Included criteria. It will impact all healthcare events over time, including medical congresses. This is good, because the events that I attend featuring patients more prominently are always the more informative and richer in dialogue for it.

But it also raises interesting questions about how far this concept could go within healthcare beyond conferences. What if a clinical trial was not considered valid by the regulatory authorities if patients had not been involved in the design of its protocol? What if no reimbursement decision on a novel therapeutic could be made without direct input and assessment by patients? The list of ideas goes on and on and raises some questions that every organisation in healthcare needs to start thinking about as the patient voice becomes ever louder.

It is another great example of how social media has democratised the conversation within healthcare and, like those making their feelings clear on the UK General Election, means there is no place to hide for activities that do not appreciate the view of the patient. Just like those poor MPs who failed to secure enough support in their constituency, patients will vote out conferences that don’t listen to them.

My advice: keep a close watch on Patients Included, as it’s a marker for not only how conferences must adapt, but all of healthcare.

TAGGED: pharmaphorum

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Paul Tunnah May 12, 2015
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article BioPharma Beat logo BioPharma Beat: mHealth Apps – to Regulate or Not to Regulate
Next Article microscope Irony and the Church of Big Data

Stay Connected

1.5k Followers Like
4.5k Followers Follow
2.8k Followers Pin
136k Subscribers Subscribe

Latest News

mental health tips
Caring for Your Mental Health Should Be a Top Priority
Mental Health March 19, 2023
combat home sickness
How to Combat Home Sickness After Moving Abroad
Health News March 19, 2023
depression signs
Early Signs of Depression that You Shouldn’t Ignore
Mental Health March 19, 2023
positive mental health
How to Build a Positive Mental Health Environment
Mental Health March 15, 2023

You Might also Like

medical call centers benefits
Wellness

Best Practices for Healthcare Call Centers Should Follow in 2023

February 16, 2023
employee's wellness
Health

How Hospitals and Other Healthcare Providers Can Boost Employee Morale

February 13, 2023
BusinessHospital Administration

What are the Benefits of Hospitals and Clinics Using Expense Management Services?

February 13, 2023
healthcare workers with gloves
Hospital Administration

Tips to Keep Health Workers Safe in the Workplace

February 8, 2023
//

We influence million of users and is the most authentic source of information on healthcare business and technology news.

Quick Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Follow US

© 2008-2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?