Consumer involvement

Consumers in health are users, or potential uses of the health care system, including their families, carers and support people. Increasingly consumers provide input into health care delivery through their involvement in planning and policy development, service delivery, community feedback and volunteer activities.

The Cochrane Breast Cancer Group (CBCG) has many consumer members and they participate equally across the major activities of the group. Participation by consumers is considered an important measure of the success of the group and the CBCG's ability to incorporate consumer participation is included as a routine measurable outcome. The group works closely with a number of breast cancer specific organisations and advocacy groups in Australia and other countries.

Consumer participation can either be through a breast cancer advocacy group or as an individual. Consumers can: