Public participation in the design of educational programmes for cancer nurses: a case report

Genuine involvement of the public in planning, monitoring and evaluation of health care is a prerequisite to a better quality of service. Similarly users of health services and their carers can contribute much to the planning and delivery of professional education, although this contribution has only recently been acknowledged in any strategic way by nursing educational and professional bodies. This paper provides one example of user and carer involvement in the design of continuing education and higher education in cancer care nursing within the University of Leeds School of Healthcare Studies. The author reflects upon the positive aspects and some of the challenges presented in the achievement of public involvement in nurse education.