Our Patient as educator volunteers
About the programme
Our Patients as Educators programme was set up in December 2012 to promote the patient voice in clinical education and strengthen health professionals’ understanding of the patient journey.
We currently train and support 31 volunteers to share their experience of prostate cancer with health professionals in an informed, educational and non-judgemental way. So far, our volunteers have engaged in 99 educational activities (ranging from talks, presentations and online learning), which have reached 1,881 health professionals. Our evaluation has shown the incredible impact our volunteers are having on the care provided to men and their families. One of these volunteers is Kevin Megson whose story you can read below.
Meet Kevin
Kevin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006 aged 50. Kevin underwent a radical prostatectomy in late 2006 and is living with the side effects of this treatment. Since that time Kevin has had other types of treatment including radiotherapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy. Kevin has been involved in the Patients as Educators programme since 2012 and has been involved in a number of activities including talks to GPs, nurse specialists and radiographers.
Following his diagnosis Kevin and his family have been avid supporters of the charity. They have raised almost £80,000 and have given countless hours volunteering. Kevin says “Personally for me, I enjoy volunteering, and I like giving something back… It’s how I deal with my illness. From a selfish point of view, I might be giving something but I am also getting something”.
Kevin decided to become part of the Patients as Educators programme as he feels “very few healthcare professionals have had totally honest feedback from a person who lives with prostate cancer, and that has been through most of the treatments available”. He continues “I can talk quite honestly about my experience. I can talk about it in layperson terms. From the feedback I’ve seen, healthcare professionals think it does them good to hear another point of view, I give a very honest talk, warts and all”.
To view a short clip offering further insight into the programme, and to hear from Kevin himself please watch the video below. If you’re interested in having a Patient as Educator at your event, please contact the education team on 020 3310 7000 or email [email protected]