Cathy facilitated a discussion with members of the INCA community from Australia, Africa, USA, India, UK & Norway to share insights and experiences, but to explore how we can collectively strengthen the voice of patients in shaping their care and the systems that support them.
This event is part of a bigger programme under the INCA advocacy pillar that Cathy currently chairs.
The theme of our discussion was patient empowerment and self-advocacy, which is both timely and vital. As healthcare continues to evolve, patients mustn’t be merely passive recipients of care, but active partners in their health pathways. Empowerment is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Advocacy is not just about speaking up; it’s about being heard, being respected, and being involved.
It was such a fascinating discussion and we covered topics such as the challenges people face when trying to self-advocate: fear of judgment, language barriers, and lack of confidence. We talked about the tools we have to help our communities and what true partnership looks like. We shared examples of success, the need for education for all and some personal reflections from our own countries.
What was clear is that everyone, no matter where they live, shares similar issues and that all believe self-advocacy is so important in our ever-changing healthcare environment.