Patient Empowerment

Purpose and goal

The purpose of the project was to start an education for patients and relatives who would give them the knowledge and strength to gain control over their own lives, as well as increase their ability to act on issues that they themselves consider important, so-called Patient empowerment. The course´s goal was to offer 5 modules at Jönköping Academy for Improvement of Health and Welfare between February-May 2018 via a web-based education.

Expected results and effects

The course was expected to produce effects on areas such as knowledge, understanding, skills and ability. The evaluation of the course shows that most parts have worked well. There are development opportunities around the technology as well as for some of the content eg. re. the research sections that were perceived as somewhat more advanced. 83% of the participants consider that they already have or will use what they have learned. 67% will use the knowledge as patient representatives in a patient association.

Planned approach and implementation

The course was conducted during February-May 2018 and was marketed in a variety of channels, including through Reformklubben, the Jönköping Academy, various patient associations and dagenspatient.se. 84 persons applied and 15 were accepted. 14 people completed and one person left after the first course session. The course contained 5 modules; Systems, Research and Development Support, Clinical Treatment Research, Authority Role, Co-production for better health and Healthcare. After some initial concerns with the technology the course could be conducted without delays.