Patient participation in primary health care

Patient participation groups have been established in about 20 practices, six of which were visited. They did not conform to a particular model but each had adapted to local circumstances. As well as giving patients a say in the practice, they were involved in health education, voluntary work, and campaigns for better secondary care facilities, although these activities were influenced by the way the groups were elected. The emphasis was on participation rather than patient power and their constructive approach to improve services made patient participation a valuable innovation.