The development of structures for citizen and patient participation in the decision-making process affecting health care - Recommendation Rec(2000)5 and explanatory memorandum (2001)

This report states the importance of citizen empowerment in improving the functioning of the health care system and proposes methods to involve citizens and patients in decision making. It calls on governments to encourage citizen participation in all aspects and at all levels of health care systems by creating legal structures and policies that support the promotion of citizens' participation and patients rights.