Open AccessInformation and involvement
Author(s) -
Thornton H.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
health expectations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.314
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1369-7625
pISSN - 1369-6513
DOI - 10.1046/j.1369-6513.2001.00129.x
Subject(s) - public relations , quality (philosophy) , health information , process (computing) , critical appraisal , psychology , health care , health professionals , key (lock) , medical education , medicine , nursing , political science , alternative medicine , computer science , philosophy , epistemology , pathology , law , operating system , computer security
Abstract This article discusses the beliefs that provision of good quality information is the key to (a) successful and satisfying involvement of patients in their own decision‐making and (b) involvement of lay people in the research process, in debate and other involvement in wider health issues. Education of children, health professionals, the public and the media is advocated, enabling critical appraisal skills and good quality health information to lead to improved involvement of citizens in health‐care decisions of all kinds, both individual and societal. Examples of individual, group and specific group involvement through research projects, debates about screening, Citizens’ Juries, etc. are used to illustrate benefits to patients and to health provision in general.