IAPO Fact Sheet

IAPO is a unique global alliance representing patients of all nationalities across all disease areas and promoting patientcentred healthcare around the world. Our members are patients organizations working at the local, national, regional and international levels to represent and support patients, their families and carers. IAPOs definition of a Patient is a person with any chronic disease, illness, syndrome, impairment or disability.

IAPOs History
During a series of conferences between 1994 and 1996, patient representatives from around the world met and found that patients in all disease areas and countries frequently face the same issues, such as access to treatment, good information and patients rights. They established a permanent international coalition of patients organizations to create a strong, coordinated patients voice across disease areas and countries.

IAPOs vision and mission

IAPOs vision is that patients throughout the world are at the centre of healthcare. IAPOs mission is to help build patientcentred healthcare in every country by:

Realizing active partnerships with patients' organizations and maximizing their impact through capacity building Advocating internationally with a strong patients' voice on relevant aspects of healthcare policy, with the aim of influencing international, regional and national health agendas and policies Building cross-sector alliances and working collaboratively with like-minded medical and health professionals, policy makers, academics, researchers and industry representatives

Benefits of IAPO membership

Membership with IAPO strengthens representation of the patient at the global level. Important healthcare issues are increasingly crossing geographical and disease boundaries, so it is vital that patients' groups traverse these boundaries and work together for positive change. Patients voices are amplified and heard effectively when patient groups are linked, can share best practices and practical strategies and are connected with resources. Becoming an IAPO member ensures that the patients you work with are represented in the work that we do with the World Health Organization, the World Medical Association, and others. Joining IAPO also provides your organization with the following member services:

Stimulating links and exchange with other patients' organizations worldwide in diverse disease areas and countries Support for the vital work you do, including visibility and publicity in our publications, newsletters and website The opportunity to attend the Global Patients Congress open to members only Capacity building and training through Congress workshops, online resources, toolkits and briefing papers Involvement and representation in our policy work with the World Health Organization, World Medical Association, International Council of Nurses, International Pharmaceutical Federation and many other key stakeholders in health

How to join IAPO

1. 2. Complete the Membership Application Form (www.patientsorganizations.org/membership) and post with supporting documents to IAPO, 49-51 East Road, London N1 6AH, UK. Your application will then be examined by the Governing Board according to IAPO's Statutes and Bylaws, which can be viewed online at www.patientsorganizations.org/about.

For more information

Email info@patientsorganizations.org. You can also subscribe to our monthly email newsletter for patients organizations and other stakeholders around the world by visiting www.patientsorganizations.org/news.

49-51 East Road London N1 6AH United Kingdom Tel +44 20 7250 8280 info@patientsorganizations.org www.patientsorganizations.org

Fax +44 20 7250 8285

IAPO Fact Sheet

Publications: What is Patient-Centred Healthcare? A Review of Definitions and Principles (February 2005)
Patient-centred healthcare is a term in common usage but it is rarely defined. This publication provides an introduction to the concept of patient-centred healthcare outlining current definitions and principles; examples of research studies on its impact; and barriers to its practice. Available to download from www.patientsorganizations.org/pchreview.

IAPO Patient Safety Toolkit

This toolkit is a multi issue resource for patient groups, providing the means for patients and patients organizations to engage in the provision of healthcare and contribute to a quality and safe healthcare system, and a reduction in harm to patients. For more information, please contact info@patientsorganizations.org

IAPO Briefing Papers

IAPOs Briefing Papers are designed to provide accurate, unbiased information based on current evidence-based research and opinion to patients organizations and patient advocates worldwide to equip them with an understanding of the science, technology and related social, ethical, economic and regulatory issues. In 2006, IAPO released two new Briefing Papers, the first on Biosimilar Medicines was launched in August 2006 and the second on Paediatric Medicines and Clinical Research was published in November 2006. Available free to members; order online at www.patientorganizations.org/biosimilars or www.patientsorganizations.org/paediatrics

IAPOs Policy Framework

The Policy Framework details IAPO's overall approach to the policy development process, providing a structure for developing and communicating policy on healthcare issues which includes comprehensive consultation with IAPO's member patients' organizations. The Framework is also a useful resource for patients organizations. Angela Jordan, National Osteoporosis Society said:
"I found the IAPO Policy Framework incredibly helpful, it has provided me with a perfect template into which, as Policy Manager I can design a framework for the NOS. It has certainly ensured that I am not reinventing wheels unnecessarily I feel as though I have been given a huge helping hand."

The Policy Framework is available to download from www.patientsorganizations.org/policyframework.

Board and Staff

The business and affairs of IAPO are supervised by an international Governing Board, which comprises nine elected representatives of the member organizations. The Board has two face-to-face meetings each year, and is in ongoing communication with IAPOs staff. There are currently seven members of staff based in our London, UK office.

49-51 East Road London N1 6AH United Kingdom Tel +44 20 7250 8280 info@patientsorganizations.org www.patientsorganizations.org

Fax +44 20 7250 8285