PurposeThe basic premise of VALUE+ is that patients’ meaningful involvement enhances health project results, which can contribute more effectively to policy towards patient-centred, equitable healthcare throughout the EU. Current EU health policy reflects this premise, but a concerted strategy is needed to achieve patient involvement in reality.The objective of the VALUE+ project is thus to exchange information, experiences and good practices among key stakeholders in relation to the meaningful involvement of patients’ organisations in EU supported health projects at EU and national level.
The VALUE+ project will achieve, for the first time:
- A comprehensive evidence- based overview of current practice and trends regarding patient involvement in EU health projects and expansive database of organisations and institutions involved- An extensive analysis and reflection regarding critical success factors, challenges and hurdles regarding patient involvement- The identification of showcase examples of patient involvement to inspire and motivate key players at policy, programme and policy level- The nurturing of selected EU projects running concurrently with VALUE + to demonstrate how involvement of patients can be achieved in practice.- The development of very specific targeted resources including: o Policy recommendations for policy makers, o A Handbook for project leaders and promoters, o A Resource Kit for patient organisations themselves to facilitate patient involvement in future projects.- A flagship Conference under the Swedish EU Presidency in 2009, to re-affirm political commitment and review these resources.
OutcomesThe project is expected to achieve, for the first time, a comprehensive overview and analysis of current practice and trends regarding patient involvement in EU health supported projects.
Through the Policy Recommendations for policy makers, the Handbook for project leaders and promoters, and the Resource Kit for patients organisations, the project is expected to raise awareness about the added-value of involving patients’ organisations in projects, as well as to increase the capacity as patients’ organisations of getting involved in projects as equal partners and of applying for and managing EU supported projects.
Through the project information tools, the project is expected to increase awareness about patients’ rights, social cohesion, participatory democracy, freedom of choice and to contribute to a new culture where patients are respected partners at all levels of health care and health policy.
With its coordinator, associate and collaborating partners, the project will be in itself a model of good practice on patients’ involvement in policy making.