The Patient Revolution

I imagine that many readers have had the experience of making their own diagnosis based on information on the Internet, which is part of patient empowerment so that people can arrive better informed at their doctor's appointment. This book goes further by sharing the stories of 13 'patient leaders' who have drawn on their own experience to impact the National Health Service with its procedures, protocols and the general assumption that professionals know best and that change must come from the top down. In many cases, the patients have really been through the hoops and have shown immense resilience to come out the other side. What emerges is a model of partnership, advocacy and engagement, humanising institutions operating impersonally by the book. Sometimes this involves a process of infiltration but more often sheer persistence in the face of resistance and inertia. The book is encouraging in reporting progress the establishment of a Centre for Patient Leadership supported by a group of Patient and Carer Partners. This approach certainly has a role to play in healing the healthcare system and inspiring readers with its stories.