%0 Journal Article
%T Does a consumer training work? a follow-up survey of the PartecipaSalute training programs
%A Mosconi Paola
%A Satolli Roberto
%A Colombo Cinzia
%A Villani Walter
%J Health Research Policy and Systems
%D 2012
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1478-4505-10-27
%X Background When properly trained through training programs on epidemiology, clinical research and healthcare policy, members of patients¡¯/consumers¡¯ organizations could be helpful for a patient-oriented healthcare system. Since 2006 the not for profit project PartecipaSalute has organized periodic editions of a training program for representatives of citizens¡¯/patients¡¯ organizations. After five editions of this training program, a survey of the long-term satisfaction and the impact on activities has been carried out. Methods A 17-questions follow-up questionnaire has been developed. The sample comprised 99 people who had taken part in at least one program edition. Results The overall response rate was 89% (89 responders/99 participants). About 98% of participants expressed general satisfaction with the training program and with the knowledge gained. Medical and informative topics were rated better than technical ones for their usefulness (96% versus 86%). The results of the survey showed a strong impact of the training course on single participants, while a weak outcome on the activities of the organizations was reported. Conclusions The training program was positively rated, and improvements in personal knowledge were reported. Less impact was reported on organizations¡¯ activities. Participants showed a remarkable willingness to get more involved in healthcare decisions, and to boost their knowledge of health and research issues. The results show the importance of follow-up to understand the real value of training program and to better organize future programs.
%K Healthcare
%K Training program
%K Consumer
%K Empowerment
%U http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content/10/1/27