In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering patient advocates, the Workgroup of Cancer Patient Advocacy Network (WECAN) recently concluded its Evidence-Based Advocacy (EBA) workshop in Munich, Germany. The workshop, held from January 17th to 19th, 2024, drew over 40 participants from diverse backgrounds including patient advocate trainees, experts, caregivers, clinicians, industry stakeholders, and researchers.
At the core of WECAN’s mission is the commitment to arming patient advocates with the tools and knowledge necessary to drive impactful change through evidence-based advocacy. The workshop focused on imparting crucial skills for developing evidence-generation projects, with a particular emphasis on addressing the unmet needs of cancer patients and survivors across various stages of their journey.
Participants engaged in intensive sessions geared towards identifying these unmet needs within the realms of health system capacity, chronic disease management, patient organization support, mental health, shared decision-making, financial toxicity, long-term follow-up, and end-of-life and palliative care for cancer patients.
Participants working together in an EBA Workshop activity
The workshop not only provided a platform for learning but also set the stage for future endeavors, notably the WECAN CANCERSurvey slated to commence later in 2024. This survey represents a collective effort within the WECAN community to gather invaluable insights into the experiences of cancer patients, thereby informing targeted advocacy actions.
“It provided a fantastic overview of so many different types of patient experience data. I would highly recommend for anyone intending to design and conduct a survey, collect data or do any advocacy project”
The consensus among participants was unanimous: the workshop provided essential tools and knowledge for driving advocacy efforts forward.
The generous contributions of WECAN’s sponsors was crucial to the success of the workshop: Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Servier, and Takeda played instrumental roles in supporting this initiative, underscoring their commitment to advancing patient-centered advocacy initiatives.
WECAN’s Evidence-Based Advocacy workshop stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in driving meaningful change within the healthcare landscape. By equipping patient advocates with the skills and tools necessary to leverage data effectively, WECAN is charting a course towards a future where patient voices are not only heard but also heeded in shaping healthcare policies and practices.