Issue 44/45, HSCNews International (August-September 2008)
Bipolar disorder; plus latest data on the patient advocacy movement
What this issue contains:

The first half of this combined 44th and 45th double-issue of HSCNews International contains a report on the results of a major new global survey of people with bipolar disorder and their doctors. The survey aimed to bridge the gaps in thinking between doctors and people with bipolar disorder by identifying commonalities of approach (and disagreements). Also contained in this first half of the issue is a discussion of the aetiology and incidence of bipolar disorder by Professor Eduard Vieta of the University of Barcelona, a conversation with a person with bipolar about living with the condition, and details of two new informational tools on bipolar disorder from the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH). The second half of the issue continues with our theme of analysing the patient advocacy movement. This month we offer some of the latest financial data on the largest players in the global patient movement from three geographic regions: the world, Europe, and the UK. We look at changes that have occurred in the last few years in the geographic remit of health campaigners, in their country headquarters, and in their specialties. Other articles look at government scrutiny of health NGOs, and GSK's relationship with patient groups.

cover of HSCNews International,
issue 44/45, Aug-Sept 2008
Bipolar disorder; plus latest data on
the patient advocacy movement

Issue 43, HSCNews International (June 2008)
Patients' rights: getting the perfect balance
What this issue contains:

This 43rd issue of HSCNews International looks at the increasing groundswell of opinion in favour of the patients' rights movement. The issue examines why the increasing mobility of patients across national borders has brought the topic of patients' rights to the attention of various EU agencies. We analyse the impact of data on the health inequities that exist across Europe, noting how these data are provoking patient-led campaigns for more uniform standards and for excellence of healthcare pan-EU (including a campaign for an officially-blessed European Patients' Rights Day). We describe international initiatives that attempt, but largely fail, to tackle the issue of patients' rights. And we observe the major role played by the Rome-based Active Citizenship Network (ACN) in galvanising a civic movement to fight for the institutionalisation of patients' rights at EU and national level. Finally, the issue turns to how other healthcare stakeholders view the subject of patients' rights, and considers their alliances with ACN.

cover of HSCNews International,
issue 43, June 2008
Patients' rights: getting the perfect balance

Issue 42, HSCNews International (April 2008)
Patient advocacy in Germany
What this issue contains:

In this 42nd issue of HSCNews International , we examine the forces that led to the 2007 expansion of a German patient movement that seems set to continue its growth in 2008. We consider the form and scope of that expansion. We look at the one campaign area in which patient groups across Germany are unilaterally lobbying for change: the country's crisis-stricken healthcare system. Finally, we interview leading executives in six patient groups that represent the interests of patients at a national, regional or local level. The groups are: Arthrose Selbsthilfegruppe (national); Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Versicherte und Patienten eV (national); Kartagener Syndrom und Primaere Ciliaere Dyskinesie eV (national); Polio Allianz eV (national); Hepatitis Selbsthilfegruppe Hüeckelhoven (regional); and Prostatakrebs Selbsthilfegruppe Giessen (local).

cover of HSCNews International,
issue 42, April 2008
Patient advocacy in Germany

Issue 41, HSCNews International (February 2008)
Winds of change? The patient as activist
What this issue contains:

With patients now increasingly involved in healthcare policy (and even medical research), this issue looks at the evidence that patients are more assertive, and considers the impact they are having on all levels of the healthcare system. We note the forces prompting patients to activism, and touch on the civic movement, human rights, personal advocacy, and volunteering. Finally, we ponder the future of patient activism. The issue makes use of numerous case studies drawn from the last few years of analysis by HSCNews.

cover of HSCNews International,
issue 41, February 2008
Winds of change?
the patient as activist