Introduction
The Department of Health’s policy Community Participation in Healthcare ‘Doing it with us not for us’ Strategic Direction 2010-13, now provides underlying principles for engaging consumers. To align with this policy Barwon South Western Regional Integrated Cancer Service (BSWRICS) has developed a more structured and positive approach to engage consumers. The experience of collaborating with cancer consumers has provided BSWRICS with valuable foundations and insight into what consumers want and need to feel valued as advocates.
Method
A key strategy used to promote consumer engagement was to present a consumer forum. The aim of the forum was to promote consumer partnership and provide practical information and strategies to help people deal with the psychological and physical impacts of cancer treatment. A workshop with the presenters gave consumers the opportunity to ask further questions and express opinions about the future of cancer services. A feedback survey was used to assess the impact of the theme, the venue and overall information provided to consumers.
Results
The results from the feedback survey showed that the majority of attendees (82%), to the consumer forum considered it a positive experience. The themes from the workshop were collated and indicated overall consumers were unaware they could get involved in BSWRICS work. Thirteen consumers expressed on the day that they were interested in becoming involved with the BSWRICS Consumer Advisory Group.
Conclusion
The feedback from the consumers has directed development of future consumer forums and also the strategic direction BSWRICS takes to partner with consumers on BSWRICS projects. The success of this approach has improved overall recruitment of consumers and increased the number of consumers that now play an active role in BSWRICS projects.