[Advanced training program seeking to strengthen nationwide self-help organizations: development of the ÖKUSS...

Self-help organizations act in a self-determined manner, but can be strengthened by conducive framework conditions such as advanced training programs. The Austrian Competence and Service Agency for Self-help ÖKUSS was created as part of the framework of the concept for public promotion of self-help. It developed an advanced training program for the systematic support of nationwide self-help organizations (NSHO). The article describes the conceptual development of an advanced training program and discusses how to deal with ambivalences arising in the process.

Three training tracks were derived from the objectives of the concept for the public promotion of self-help (promoting the visibility of self-help organizations, strengthening self-help organizations in their activities, and patient participation). To determine the contents, the advanced training needs of NSHO were identified on the basis of process-produced data (including feedback forms), relevant literature, and the results of workshops with self-help representatives. An Internet search was conducted to build on existing offerings. The ÖKUSS concept was developed in several workshops with representatives of self-help organizations and its contents and framework conditions were discussed.

Training Track 1 "Strengthening self-help activities" aims to strengthen the self-image of NSHO as a self-help organization and to support the implementation of activities with introductory seminars and additional workshops. Training Track 2 "Promoting cooperation" supports the meeting and dialogue between NSHO representatives and experts with expert dialogues and annual projects. Training Track 3 "Strengthening collective patient participation" prepares NSHO representatives for participation in health policy decision-making processes in a modular course.

During the development process, ambivalences in a social, factual, time and space dimension were dealt with: On the social dimension, the aim was to take decisions regarding the objectives, form and content of the continuing education program as closely as possible to the participants and to offer low-threshold participation. On the factual level, the focus was on the competence of those affected and/or the transfer of competence for implementing activities. In terms of time, a balance had to be struck between the time resources available to the NSHO representatives and the time required to develop competence. In terms of space, on-site events were preferred to online events (before COVID-19). Finally, a different approach was chosen for each training track. For the further development of the advanced training program, a piloting and a participatory development with NSHO representatives is recommended.