CHF - The Australian consumer leadership experience (10 March 2022)

Summary

The Australian health care system includes a national organisation representing health care consumers and equivalent organisations in most states and territories. There are several disease-specific patient organisations, as well as formalised networks advocating for greater patient involvement in health technology assessment and research. This signals a system that sees a place for consumer insights: a system that is on a journey of maturing the way in which it seeks to involve consumers in decision-making.

This article explores patient leadership, recognising it as the next level of engagement, highlighting the value and impact of incorporating the experience of patients at all levels of the health system and policy decision-making, and recognising the opportunity for consumers to become leaders.