Participation in health care

Citizen participation in the decision-making process is a central action within the public health frame and it is an issue of growing importance in the planning and delivery of health care services. The incorporation of the citizens’ views is referring to all levels of decision-making; it guarantees the transparency and legitimacy of the processes and decisions that have been taken and is the basis for equal and effective allocation of scarce resources in the health care sector. While there are extensive references in the international literature, the means to involve the public in the health care planning is a constant challenge for every health system. The concept of participation is exemplified by experience in Oregon USA, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom while it is still rudimentary in Greece.

Category: Volume 46, N 1
Hits: 857 Hits
Created Date: 15-03-2007
Authors: Petros Kolovos , Panayota Sourtzi