The model of citizen participation in health services in puertollano (Spain): Beyond political will and citizen empowerment

Abstract

A model for citizen participation in the area of health services was established in Puertollano (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) and was carried out from 2008 to 2011. This was an innovative, prestigious and legally established model, based on the active and deliberative participation of the different actors involved in the health care system. In 2011 the conservative government that was formed after the regional elections halted all the actions taken under this model. As a result, we have considered it necessary to evaluate the model at the end of this period, carrying out a rigorous, systematic and scientific analysis of what took place during the years 2008-2015, examining the weaknesses in the application of the model and the possible threats it posed. For our analysis we have used a qualitative method based on in-depth interviews with actors involved in establishing the model. © 2018 Centro de Estudos Sociais da Universidade de Coimbra. All Rights Reserved.