What the patient wants from patient participation

In a general practice with an existing patient participation group, a survey of patients was undertaken to ascertain knowledge of and interest in the group. It was hoped that this might avoid the failure that had befallen other groups of this type. Analysis of the questionnaire provided useful information: there was interest in the group, with a potential attendance of almost three-quarters of the respondents. There was a clear lack of knowledge about the functions of the group, but the evidence was that if the desired activities were to be arranged and publicized they would be well attended.