Systematic review of involving patients in the planning and development of health care.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of involving patients in the planning and development of health care.


METHODS
Published and grey literature.


METHODS
Systematic search for worldwide reports written in English between January 1966 and October 2000.


METHODS
Qualitative review of papers describing the effects of involving patients in the planning and development of health care.


RESULTS
Of 42 papers identified, 31 (74%) were case studies. Papers often described changes to services that were attributed to involving patients, including attempts to make services more accessible and producing information leaflets for patients. Changes in the attitudes of organisations to involving patients and positive responses from patients who took part in initiatives were also reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence supports the notion that involving patients has contributed to changes in the provision of services across a range of different settings. An evidence base for the effects on use of services, quality of care, satisfaction, or health of patients does not exist.
Crawford
Mike J
MJ
Primary Care and Population Health Sciences, Imperial College, Charing Cross Campus, London W6 8RP, UK. m.crawford@ic.ac.uk
Rutter
Deborah
D
Manley
Catherine
C
Weaver
Timothy
T
Bhui
Kamaldeep
K
Fulop
Naomi
N
Tyrer
Peter
P
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006285:Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010358:Patient Participation