This book is about how patients can help health leaders decide which new medicines, tests, and medical tools should be used in hospitals and clinics.
The book is co-authored by Ann Single, CEO of the Patient Voice Initiative.
Key topics:
- Deciding on New Health Tools: Healthcare systems use Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to select the best medicines and tools. Experts look at whether a tool is safe, how well it works, and if it is worth the cost.
- Why Patients are Experts: Scientists and doctors know about the body, but only patients know what it is really like to live with a sickness every day. Patients can explain things that lab tests cannot, such as how a medicine affects their energy or their ability to attend school or work.
- How Patients Can Help: There are two main ways for patients to be involved:
1. Research: Patients complete surveys or speak with researchers about their needs and expectations for a new treatment.
2. Taking Part: Patients or groups representing them can speak directly to the decision-makers or serve on special committees. - A Patient’s Story is Evidence: A big goal of this book is to show that a patient’s experience is just as important as a scientific test. This is called “patient-based evidence.”
- Global Goal: Countries worldwide, from Australia to Brazil to England, are finding new ways to ensure patients have a seat at the table when major decisions are made.
- Making Better Decisions: When patients help, it builds trust in the health system. It ensures that the tools doctors use are actually the ones that help patients live better lives.