The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7418 p328
16 September 2006

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News summary

Survey shows that patients want clearer health information

Members of patient groups think it essential that both patients and their care-givers get information that is easy to understand so that they can make properly informed decisions about their treatment.

A survey (PDF 570K) earlier this year by the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations found that 98 per cent of respondent members of patient organisations from 12 countries agreed with this view.

The survey also found 95 per cent support for the view that patients not only had a right to participate in health care decisions that affected them, but that they also had a responsibility to do so.

The same percentage said that governments should be more active in taking into account the views of patients’ organisations and doctors when they formulate health policy.