Why

Frameworks and Models

As the following model illustrates, consumer participation increases the amount of shared knowledge.  Consumers share the knowledge previously known only to them and so do providers (Draper 1997 p.13).

Figure 1.  Public participation model

Before Participation

After Participation

Public participation model based on the Johari window, used by the Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide.
(Original Source: Sutherland Shire Council. 1991. Environmental Services Division: Discussion paper on community participation", Sutherland Shire Council, Sydney).

In Improving health services through consumer participation it is argued that there are four reasons for consumer participation. These are:

1. Participation is an ethical and democratic right
2. Participation improves service quality and safety and helps gain health service accreditation.
3. Participation improves health outcomes.
4. Participation makes services more responsive to the needs of consumers.

Each has in common the idea that involving consumers in health care decision making, planning, evaluation and review will lead to changes that will improve health. The main arguments for each are outlined in Improving health services through consumer participation (pp 2 - 3) 

Improving Health Services Section 1 (PDF, 116Kb)

Different modes of participation are sometimes represented as a continuum. Brager and Specht (1973) have developed a continuum that ranges from no participation through minimal levels where consumers receive information, but little say, through to joint planning and ultimately to consumer or community control (Improving health services through consumer Participation p.3).

Figure 2.  Ladder of participation (Brager and Sprecht, 1973)