The associations representing patients with chronic, oncological and haematological diseases meet in Rome for a two-day training: this is the sixth edition of the Patient Advocacy Network, an initiative organized by the High School of Economics and Management of Health Systems (ALTEMS) of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, with the unconditional support of AstraZeneca. In the first post-pandemic appointment, the spotlight will be on two issues that have proved increasingly important, even in the period of the emergency: the role of networks of associations, also at European level, and that of data and technologies. While on the one hand the development of national and international connections, through networks or other organizational methods, has become essential, with the launch in Italy of a national HTA (Health Technology Assessment) program, the ability to generate and structure data takes on a growing importance in the evaluation and decision phases of the value of health technologies.
“In this new scenario that is taking shape, also in the light of a reorganization of the NHS thanks to the PNRR funds, it is desirable that those who play a role in representing patients and citizens have more and more skills, techniques and tools to allow an effective dialogue with both national and regional policy makers: main actors in the definition of health policy ”, says Americo Cicchetti, director of the High School of Economics and Management of Health Systems of the Catholic University (ALTEMS).
“The associations today return to meet in this workshop after the experience of covid-19 which also saw them at the forefront in monitoring and supporting the institutions; ALTEMS, in a research it carried out during the first wave found that 42% of the initiatives launched by patient associations concerned ‘institutional activities’, i.e. advocacy actions carried out to cope with the emergency by raising the awareness of institutions for the provision of some useful services for the management of one’s own pathology ”, declares Teresa Petrangolini, director of the Patient Advocacy Lab of ALTEMS, Catholic University.
“AstraZeneca has always concretely promoted the role of patients and their inclusion in the decision-making processes concerning the future of the health system” comments Ilaria Piuzzi, Head of External Communication and Patient Advocacy at AstraZeneca Italia. “For this reason, giving continuity to projects like this is fundamental for us so that patient involvement becomes systematic both at national and regional level”.