SOJ senior lecturer Chuck Harman presented the keynote address, “Communicating the Lived Experience: Building an Effective Advocacy Program,” at the 5th Annual International Experience Exchange for Patient Organizations” in Zurich, Switzerland on March 5. More than 125 patient advocates representing 28 countries attended the two-day conference, which was translated into four languages.
The meeting offered patient organizations representing groups from oncology, hepatitis, mental health, rheumatoid arthritis and citizens’ groups an opportunity to hear from leading experts and share best practices on issues of stigma, building alliances, clinical research and disparities in treatment. Other speakers represented the University of Oxford, the European Brain Council, the Swedish Breast Cancer Organization, the Danish Association of Young People with Rheumatism, PanCAN Japan and Club 13 (Lithuanian mental health association).