Where are the patients in decision-making about their own care? WHO/Europe 2008

Patients can play a distinct role in protecting their health, choosing appropriate treatment for episodes of ill health and managing chronic disease. Considerable evidence suggests that patient engagement can improve their experience and satisfaction and also can be effective clinically and economically.

This policy brief outlines what the research evidence tells us about the effect of engaging patients in their clinical care, and it reviews policy interventions that could have been (or could be) implemented in different health care systems across Europe. In particular, it focuses on strategies to improve health literacy, treatment decision making, and self-management of chronic conditions.