Evaluating the effectiveness of advocacy training for breast cancer advocates in Australia.

There is growing trend in health care for patients and consumers to have an active voice in all decisions related to their care. The purpose of the current study was to assess the effectiveness of an advocacy training programme for breast cancer consumers in Australia. The participants included 51 women who attended a 3-day advocacy training programme in three different states across Australia. Participants completed a pre- and post-questionnaire at 6 months follow-up to assess their involvement in breast cancer advocacy activities and organizations. Findings revealed a significant increase in participants' involvement in serving as a member of a board or committee, working on clinical trials recruitment issues, working on patient resources, and involvement in breast cancer advocacy groups after completing the training programme. However, no change was found in other key advocacy areas, such as, lobbying for change or reviewing research protocols. Implications for future advocacy training programmes and research were discussed.