[EQ] Engaging the Public in Health Care Policy: Why do it? and What are the Challenges?

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT (PART I)
ENGAGING THE PUBLIC IN HEALTHCARE POLICY: WHY DO IT? AND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?

 

InsightandAction Issue 48, February 2009

Canadian Health Services Research Foundation

 

Available online at: http://www.chsrf.ca/other_documents/insight_action/html/documents/Insight_and_Action_48_e_000.pdf

 

“….The development of evidence-informed healthcare policies relies heavily on the hierarchies of research and the technical know-how of experts. However, the experiences, opinions, and value preferences of patients, the general public and consumer advocates also play a legitimate and useful role, especially when difficult, value-laden decisions must be made.

 

 

KEY MESSAGES

- The opinions and perspectives of the public play a valuable role in developing high-quality, evidence-informed policy guidance.

- Engaging the public in health policy decisions can increase the public’s trust and confidence in their healthcare system.

- The public holds important health knowledge, but this knowledge should be applied carefully and appropriately,
   in line with the context and purpose of the decision in question….”

 

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT (PART II):*
HOW DO DELIBERATIVE PROCESSES ACHIEVE MEANINGFUL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT?

InsightandAction Issue 49, February 2009

Canadian Health Services Research Foundation

 

Available online at: http://www.chsrf.ca/other_documents/insight_action/html/documents/Insight_and_Action_49_e.pdf

 

‘….A number of methods can be used to engage members of the public, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, requests for submissions, open houses, and public meetings. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses.i Another approach that is becoming increasingly accepted is the use of the deliberative process, which is broadly defined as “a tool for producing guidance based on heterogeneous evidence,” ii More specifically, the deliberative approach is a collective problem-solving process that involves gathering information from a wide variety of sources, with a view to making informed decisions or recommendations on a specific issue. Deliberative processes are thought to be well-suited for soliciting perspectives on a wide range of issues, including healthcare.

 

KEY MESSAGES

- Deliberative processes are often relied upon to capture the diverse perspectives of members of the general public, patients,
  and others on a wide range of healthcare topics.

- Using deliberative processes encourages informed public dialogue and leads to policy recommendations that incorporate various points of view.

- Deliberative processes that focus on concrete recommendations are more likely to have a direct influence on healthcare decision-making. …”

 

 

 

*      *      *     *

This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ KMC Area]

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAHO/WHO Website: http://66.101.212.219/equity/

Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html

 

 

 

    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.