Towards the emancipation of patients: Patients' Experiences and the Patient Movement

This book is the culmination of the author's 30 years of experience, observation, study, research, and analysis as a (radical) patient activist. The author argues that, despite a policy focus on involving patients in health care and increasing patient autonomy, much covert coercion of patients takes place in everyday health care. Radical patient groups and individual activists, who repeatedly challenge or oppose some standards in health care, can be seen as working in the direction of freeing patients from coercion and from its concomitants of injustice and inequality. The patient movement, led by its radical elements, can therefore be considered an emancipation movement. Towards the Emancipation of Patients explains the development of the patient movement, outlining the current policy and practice context. It includes a discussion of values and principles as well as a map of ten core principles that should form the background to true patient involvement and emancipation. It also discu