Health Economics, Policy and Law

Table of Contents - 2006 - Volume 1, Issue 02  


Article

Public involvement policies in health: exploring their conceptual basis

Suzanne Wait a1c1 and Ellen Nolte a2
a1 Judge Institute of Management, Cambridge University
a2 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Article author query
wait s   [Google Scholar] 
nolte e   [Google Scholar] 
 

Abstract

Despite its obvious appeal, the concept of public involvement is poorly defined and its rationale and objectives are rarely specified when applied to current health policy contexts. This paper explores some of the underlying concepts, definitions, and issues underpinning public involvement policies and proposes a set of criteria and questions that need to be addressed to allow for the evaluation of public involvement strategies and their impact on the health policy process. It aims to further our understanding of the role that public involvement may play in contributing to health systems that are responsive to the needs and priorities of the public, and, ultimately, providing better health and health care services to the community at large.

(Published Online March 23 2006)


Correspondence:
c1 Corresponding author: Suzanne Wait, Nuffield Trust Research Fellow, Judge Institute of Management, Cambridge University. Tel: +44 7740 070489. Email: suzannewait@ilcuk.org.uk

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