This evidence-based guide provides the first comprehensive overview of patient engagement and participation in healthcare. It has been written for all those who want to understand the various ways in which patient and public engagement can contribute to better health outcomes.

Angela Coulter explains the theories, models and policies at the heart of patient involvement as well as giving extensive practical examples to demonstrate the reality of involving patients. The book includes an examination of patients roles in respect of:

• Improving care processes
• Building health literacy
• Selecting treatments
• Strengthening self-care
• Ensuring safer care
• Participating in research
• Training professionals
• Shaping services

Clearly written by a leading author in the field and well illustrated with data, examples and evidence, the book includes practical descriptions of real patient engagement, together with critical review and suggestions to guide future developments. This guide also brings together an extensive body of international evidence, making it the most current and original text on the market.

Engaging Patients in Healthcare is essential reading for students and professionals working and studying in public health, health care management, health services and beyond.

"This bookis the roadmap we need to guide the creation of the healthcare system weve all dreamed about one that truly taps the power of patient and professional wisdom."

Susan Edgman-Levitan, PA, Executive Director, Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA

"This book provides the building blocks from which healthcare professionals can try to engage people more, from consultation based practices, such as shared decision making and improved self management, to deeper changes in shaping services and training professionals."

British Medical Journal, 2011

"Policy makers and practitioners will benefit from Angela Coulter's analysis of the challenges of securing effective engagement and the ideas she puts forward for overcoming these challenges."

Chris Ham, Chief Executive of The King's Fund, London, UK

"Angela Coulter has managed to de-mystify the concepts of patient engagement in health care in a readable, balanced, thought-provoking primer. A "must read" for students, educators, practitioners, managers, and policy makers needing a primer or update."

Annette OConnor, Emeritus Professor University of Ottawa, Canada

"Committed doyenne, Coulter writes superbly about patients as the greatest untapped resource in healthcare. At a time when health services face so many challenges across the globe, there are solutions here that need urgent attention."

Professor Glyn Elwyn BA MB BCh MSc FRCGP PhDDirector of Research, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology IRG, Cardiff University, UK

"While politicians pay increasing obeisance to the notion of 'patient-centred care' patients often experience a service built around the needs of healthcare organisations and professionals. The challenge is to translate the often woolly rhetoric of no decision about me without me into practical steps that improve the quality of care, and keep it affordable as cost pressures mushroom. Those who are serious about taking on this challenge could do no better than study Dr Coulters crisp and cogent overview of the theory, evidence and practice of patient engagement. "

Jeremy Taylor, Chief Executive, National Voices