A MODEL OF CONSUMER PARTICIPATION - THE CANADIAN BREAST-CANCER INITIATIVE

The issue of linking research and policy is not unique to health care of the elderly; it has been articulated by numerous stakeholder groups , including those with specific diseases, such as breast cancer. A met hod of enhancing these links is now being systematically addressed in the Canadian Breast Cancer Initiative with the input of women with bre ast cancer. The Initiative consists of a number of components and demo nstrates a model of consumer participation at multiple levels in setti ng the agenda for research and policy development, thus enhancing acco untability in the transfer of research findings into policy. The conce pt of consumer participation in linking research and policy is transfe rable to other diseases and other population groups, such as seniors.