title: The patient union: a partner in Dutch patient education.
abstract: This article is a review of the principles, values and activities of the Dutch patient unions. Attention is paid to the historical development of the patients' organizations in the Dutch policy, the activities, patients expertise and their perspective, and the content of the patient education by the patient unions. Furthermore the obstacles and prerequisites in the cooperation between patient organizations and health care providers are described. Also the way of cooperation of patient organizations in the patient education activities in health care institutions is presented. Conclusions are drawn on the advantages of the role of patient unions in Dutch patient education.
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Linse
mesh_terms: D003255:Consumer Organizations; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003479:Curriculum; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D009426:Netherlands; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*