A marvelous editorial and a great affirmation of NUFF's mission

March 26, 2004

From the British Medical Journal, one of the most prestigious medical

journals in the world:

" Expert patient " —dream or nightmare?

The concept of a well informed patient is welcome, but a new name is

needed

Since the chief medical officer for England first introduced the term

expert patient, it has been picked up and used very widely.1 During

this time, the notion of the expert patient seems to have been

criticised by doctors at least as much as it has been welcomed.2 If

one asks lawyers, architects, social workers, or management

consultants whether they prefer clients who take an interest in the

issues they face and are motivated to work in partnership to achieve

successful results, the answer seems obvious. So why does the idea of

expert patients provoke such antipathy within the medical profession?

read the rest here:

This is the first time I've come across a reference to the " expert

patient " idea, although it's apparently been around in England since

at least 1999. While the editorial concerns just what to call this

new and improved patient, just hearing that the idea of the " expert

patient " is being advanced by England's Chief Medical Officer is

immensly cheering.

While checking out the links in the References section, I found an

excellent and extensive discussion of the concept of the expert

patient and how it's being viewed by the medical profession at the

British Pharmaceutical Industry's site,

/survey.asp -- The Expert Patient Survey, October 1999. Very

interesting reading for those of you who are committed to being

actively involved in your health care.

Leonie

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