ESMO 2018: Civic Participation: How Citizens Shape the Society they Live In

Munich, Germany (UroToday.com) In this talk, Dr. Giovanni Moro, a professor of political sociology in Rome, gave a talk on civic participation and its impact on healthcare. He began by giving a background of his own research and his involvement in citizen’s rights movements in both Italy and Europe. Unfortunately, most of his powerpoint presentation was not available and not loaded, so he was unable to provide details for much of his discussion. Below are his primary take-home points.

Civic participation, by definition, is an autonomous citizen’s initiative. It comes in a multiplicity of forms, motivations, and strategies, exercising powers in policy with the following 3 aims:

1) Protection of rights
2) Caring for common goods / protecting our common ground
3) Empowerment

An important first part of that it enabling and generating a “Charter of Rights”, to help detail the goals of active participation.

He was able to provide some examples of civic participation that led to major changes. More and more, patient and civic participation are enabling changes in medical systems. For example, patient advocacy groups and watch groups can maintain medical community accountability. Additionally, patient groups and civic groups can generate “civic audits”.

These are all examples. The take-home point is: Civic participation is necessary and is increasing. Allow it and encourage it!

Presented by: Giovanni Moro, Roma, Italy

Written by: Thenappan Chandrasekar, MD, Clinical Instructor, Thomas Jefferson University, twitter: @tchandra_uromd, @TjuUrology at the 2018 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (#ESMO18), October 19-23, 2018, Munich Germany

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