Promoting patient based care and consumer engagement

Consumer engagement has blossomed in recent decades into a comprehensive approach, not only engaging people in their own care, but also in key health care system improvements at a range of levels including health services, research, governance and policy. These changes parallel international progress in patient based care and culminate in the recognition of the need for consumer partnerships in recent national and state frameworks. Striving to deliver patient-based care means that we need to rise above the 'disease-based' model of care. Consumer engagement to improve Australian cancer care has grown to support all aspects of the journey.