Editing Patient Pathways: Prostate Cancer (section)

= Examples of successful supportive activities from croatian associations =

Civil society organizations, patient associations play a vital role in providing support to prostate cancer patients. Patient associations also play an active role in the policies of the health system and the social care system by informing the public and political stakeholders about the needs of patients, and the patients themselves about their rights.

There are a large number of civil society organizations operating in Croatia that provide support to cancer patients. The address book lists a large number of associations in Croatia, while here we single out a few of them:

'''Croatian Society of Prostate Cancer Patients (HDBRP)'''

KBC Zagreb oncologists, Dr. Marija Gamulin and Dr. Mislav Grgić, motivated by problems from everyday practice, initiated the establishment of an association with the aim of improving the quality of life and treatment of patients with prostate cancer.

The goal is achieved through the following activities:

'''Gathering of patients treated for prostate cancer''' as well as doctors and other medical personnel dealing with prostate cancer, sharing experiences among patients and providing information about treatment methods and new drugs appearing on the market.

'''Exchange of information''' about the possible side effects of treatment and the possibilities of preventing them.

'''Discussing treatment options''' and giving comments and suggestions to the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance for the best possible treatment of patients with prostate cancer.

'''Cooperation with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia''' where we expect active participation in the discussions within the appropriate bodies of the Ministry in order to be actively involved in activities related to oncological problems.

'''Patient support:''' providing psychological support and counseling for patients and their families.

'''Education and information:''' organization of lectures, distribution of informative materials and booklets on prostate cancer.

'''Public campaigns:''' organization of public events and actions such as “All for him” to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of prostate cancer. Every year during this campaign, informative material is distributed about this malignant disease and its prevention.

'''Croatian league against cancer'''

The League is one of the oldest and most active associations in Croatia that deals with the fight against cancer, including prostate cancer. Through the work of counseling centers, education, and work with experts from the health care system, they provide understandable and verified information to oncology patients. They organize campaigns to raise awareness of preventive activities to prevent the occurrence of cancer, as well as the importance of screening in the early detection of cancer.

'''Association Everything for her'''

The association everything for her actively participates in the creation of educational content for cancer patients in cooperation with European experts. It provides a number of activities: Information about hereditary cancers, a center for psychological help, organization of group therapies, lectures and workshops, and telephone assistance. Members or associates of the association who provide psychological help are professionals.

Their website Knowledge Center (www.svezanju.hr/centar-znanja/) is a repository of a number of handbooks for cancer patients.

The Sve za nja association, in cooperation with the European Society for Medical Oncology, has translated a number of manuals for oncology patients (the list is at the end).

'''Coalition of Health Associations (KUZ) - Onkologija.hr'''

'''It is time''' - is the name of the public health campaign of the association of oncology patients whose goal is to gather all the most important stakeholders of the health system and encourage the implementation of the National Strategic Framework against Cancer. As part of the campaign, the '''vrijeme.hr''' website was launched, through which the implementation of the NSOPR will be systematically monitored and citizens are invited to share their experiences.

'''Advocacy of patients’ rights''' acts through organizations or individuals specialized in advocating patients’ rights, whether it is the general public and raising awareness of patients’ rights, individual groups of patients or individual patients.

'''Empowering patients''' it assumes placing patients in the central position of the health care system (Patient Oriented Health Care), by enabling the active role of citizens in the creation of health, medical and social services that best suit their needs.

By improving public health policies.

'''Creation of publications:''' Clinical Trials - a handbook for patients and their families, 2009, Leaflet Useful information on patients’ rights, 2008, Behavior of chronically ill patients with prescribed therapy - a handbook for patients and their families, 2011, European Charter on Health Equality, 2011.

'''Association for the Promotion of Patients’ Rights'''

'''Advocacy of patients’ rights:''' the association advocates for patients’ rights at all levels. This includes the right to information, access to quality health care, dignity and respect

'''Patient education:''' work to raise awareness among patients about their rights and obligations. Education about patients’ rights helps them make informed decisions about their own health.

'''Education of healthcare professionals:''' understanding of ethical and legal aspects of health care, how to respond to complaints, how to reduce the number of complaints and communication skills

'''Cooperation with health institutions:''' the goal is to establish constructive cooperation with hospitals, clinics and other health institutions. They work to improve communication between patients and healthcare professionals.

'''Promoting transparency:''' they stand for transparency in the healthcare system. This includes access to information about treatment, costs and quality of services.

'''Fight against discrimination:''' we actively oppose discrimination of patients based on gender, age, ethnicity or any other factor. All patients deserve equal treatment.

'''Counseling and legal assistance:''' according to available projects, we provide counseling and legal assistance to patients who are facing problems in the health care system. Our goal is to ensure that their rights are protected.

These non-governmental organizations play a key role in providing support to prostate cancer patients in Croatia through education, emotional and psychological support, legal advice and assistance in finding financial resources. Their activities significantly contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of patients and their families and make it easier to face the challenges brought by the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

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