The Patient Ambassadors Programme
Next month’s Empowerment and Engagement Plan theme: pain management
As part of IAPO’s Empowerment and Engagement plan, next month we will be focusing on pain management to mark International Pain Awareness Month. Please contact membership@iapo.org.uk by 22nd August if you would be interested in contributing to our September newsletter on this theme. Perhaps you would like to share with the network any innovative pain management approaches you are involved in or you could highlight how you will be marking International Pain Awareness month.
Also don’t forget, you have just one day left to send in your resource suggestions for the International Pain Awareness Month Tool Kit. Read here for more details.
Patient Solidarity Day – watch out for the theme vote
Thank you to everyone who provided suggestions for the 2017 Patient Solidarity Day (PSD) theme. IAPO members will shortly have the opportunity to vote on the final theme. Watch out for an email which will be sent later this week.
In the meantime, please save the date for PSD: Saturday 2nd December 2017
Opportunity to join an online Patient Ambassadors Programme
Do you or someone you care about have a condition that you wish more people understood? Have you had a good experience with a doctor or nurse that you want to share to improve other people’s care? Have you heard about a change in policy or law that you think is wrong or unfair? As a patient or carer you have a unique perspective on the impact of a condition on life, work and family.
Being a patient representative and speaking up for people with your condition can make a huge difference to how healthcare is delivered in the future. This online programme introduces you to some of the skills and knowledge you may need to represent yourself and others successfully. EPAP (the European Patient Ambassador Programme) is a self-learning programme providing patients and carers with essential skills and knowledge needed to interact with healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers and journalists.
The European Lung Foundation (ELF) – an IAPO member – developed EPAP as it needed patients ready and able to get involved in the future of respiratory healthcare. However, as the skills are common across diseases, ELF worked with partners to ensure that the programme is suitable to anyone living with any chronic condition. This is why EPAP is for everyone, regardless of the condition they are affected by, and regardless of which world region they live and work in.
The course is made up of seven modules, which will help you gain the information and skills you need to become a successful patient representative. You do not have to do the modules in the order they are presented. The individual modules can be done in any order you feel best suits your needs and interests. Find out more about the programme here.
Through taking the programme, you will be able join an online community of ambassadors where you can discuss shared experiences and receive information on opportunities to influence healthcare activities.
The programme is now available in English, French and Italian. Please email membership@iapo.org.uk to let us know once you’ve signed up.
Packaging that improves patients’ lives
IAPO member, HCPC Europe, is once again calling for entries and nominations for patient-friendly packaging that has made a difference to the lives of patients. They are especially looking for packaging that helps patients adhere to medication regimens and that empower patients to maintain their lifestyle through innovative design features.
Find out more about the HCPC Europe Columbus Award 2017 by clicking the green button.
Entry deadline: 31 August 2017.
Our Views, Our voices – take part in NCD Alliance’s consultation
The NCD Alliance is conducting a consultation of people living with NCDs, to better understand the daily impact of NCDs on people’s lives and their recommendations for decision makers. Your responses will be used to create an Advocacy Agenda of People Living with NCDs. Read more about consultation here.
Survey Deadline: 31 August 2017
WHO courses for outbreaks and emergencies
WHO has launched a new e-learning platform, called OpenWHO, where you can access a range of video courses on epidemics, pandemics and health emergencies. All courses on OpenWHO are free and operate on a smaller bandwidth, to allow access regardless of differing internet coverage levels. Offline versions are also available.
The platform aims to provide a social learning network using interactive online materials, that allows for the fast sharing of public health expertise and in-depth discussion and feedback on key issues.
Current courses include ‘Risk Communication Essentials’, ‘Incident Management Systems’ and ‘Pandemic and Epidemic-Prone Diseases’.