The PCO

KNOWLEDGE ARTICLE - INVOLVING PATIENTS

WHY AND HOW TO INVOLVE PATIENTS IN SCIENTIFIC CONGRESSES IAPCO Member: AIM Group International, Italy

A recent White Paper, published by AIM

“Scientific associations are increasingly

programme, an additional point of view

Group, created by Francesca Manzani,

recognising that patients can contribute

(as active audience or speakers) and

head of Florence Office AIM Group,

to the success of congresses and

logistics counsellors to take care of the

provides some perspectives on why

healthcare meetings”, outlines Francesca

physical and medical needs of patients

one should consider the integration of

Manzani, “But involving patients in

at the congress venue.

patients in your next congress and how

scientific congresses is a sensitive matter

to do it with success.

which must be carefully managed,

“Various research studies have

decision-making needs to involve all

demonstrated the positive effect of

stakeholders and ethics and compliance

patient involvement. The win-win

clinical care and research

rules need to be scrupulously followed.”

collaboration between healthcare

has gained momentum

In particular, once a decision has been

can provide major benefits”, adds

in recent years, not least

made to strategically involve patients in

Francesca.

because the patient

considered, such as event co-designers,

Patient involvement in

community itself is asking for a more active role.

But also, because patient participation in health care systems has been proven to improve treatment outcomes.

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| November 2019

professionals and patients at congresses

the congress, different options can be contributing to developing the scientific