Using expert patients' narratives as an educational resource

In this article, we examine the topic of patient participation in health care and report on how we have drawn on the concept of patient expertise to produce a new kind of information booklet for chronic arthritis patients. The booklet is patient-generated and contains the illness narratives of patients with three kinds of arthritis. The booklet draws upon the knowledge of patients who feel they are flourishing despite their condition. By communicating information through the powerful medium of narrative it is hoped the booklet will be a useful educational and supportive resource for other patients with a similar condition. We would encourage health professionals to acknowledge patient expertise and to consider the expertise of certain patients as a valuable educational resource both for themselves and for other patients. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.