title: [The Catalan Patient Council: the direct voice of the patient in health policies in Catalonia].
abstract: The transition from a more paternalistic model of care focused on the disease and on the medical professional's authority towards a more participatory model centered on the rights and duties of informed patients represents a significant change in public health policy. One of the most widespread methods of social participation in Catalonia today is the tendency to form associations around a particular disease. This kind of organizational participation is a pioneering tool in the debate around public health policy. The Government of the Generalitat de Catalunya undertook to promote the Strategic Plan of patient participation within the public health system. The Department of Health created the Patient Advisory Council of Catalonia (CCPC, as per the acronym in Catalan). This initiative constitutes a permanent consultative and participatory body for patient representatives in the Catalan healthcare system. The CCPC was set up with a solid determination to place the patient at the centre of the healthcare system, including them in the decision-making processes which directly affect them. This patient participation plan has defined and developed 8 different lines approved by the government, with consensus approval between regional government and the organisations. The CCPC has proven itself to be an effective tool for fostering active patient participation in health policy and its relationship with the system has evolved from that of a monologue to becoming the mechanism for dialogue it is today.
authors.affiliation: Ex Directora de la Dirección General de Ordenación y Regulación Sanitarias, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya.
authors.forename: Roser
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vallès Navarro
authors.affiliation: Consejo Consultivo de Pacientes de Cataluña, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya.
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Costa Vilar
authors.affiliation: Subdirección General de Servicios y Productos Sanitarios, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya. Electronic address: jdavins@gencat.cat.
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davins Miralles
authors.affiliation: Consejo Consultivo de Pacientes de Cataluña, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya.
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garcia Cirera
authors.affiliation: Consejo Consultivo de Pacientes de Cataluña, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya.
authors.forename: Maria Rosario
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hernando Ortega
authors.affiliation: Directora de la Dirección General de Ordenación y Regulación Sanitarias, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iniesta Blasco
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods*; D013030:Spain
keywords: Decisiones compartidas; Empoderamiento de los pacientes; Mecanismos de participación pública; Patient empowerment; Public participation mechanisms; Shared decisions