Johnson J, Blanchard J, Harvey C
Health Quest, Minneapolis, MN 55421, USA.
Support Care Cancer. 2000 Jan;8(1):24-7. doi: 10.1007/s005209900038.
This paper presents the concept of the town hall meeting and discusses how it can be used as a forum for those who have been touched by cancer. It can be a platform for people to express their views about cancer, not only in the community but also nationally. Empowerment is the hallmark of a town hall meeting. Those who are in leadership positions in health care and elected officials and community leaders are given the opportunity to hear the opinions of people who represent a broad-based constituency of individuals affected by cancer. The idea of holding a town hall meeting was first introduced in the cancer community by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship NCCS) as a means of identifying issues, exchanging information and considering creative solutions to problems. The first town hall meeting was held in 1994 in conjunction with the NCCS annual assembly. Since then, utilizing the guidelines set forth by the NCCS, 30 or more town hall meetings have been held across the United States. Cancer survivors have, by and large, been responsible for garnering the necessary support for conducting a town hall in their local area. Organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia Society of America, hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies and also noncancer groups, such as the YMCA, churches, and radio/T.V. stations, join with the cancer survivors in organizing the meeting, planning related displays, and advertising the event. In 1998, seven town hall meetings were sponsored jointly by OnCare and NCCS in advance and support of the upcoming THE MARCH- Coming Together To Conquer Cancer, a national rally held in Washington, D.C. in September 1998. Attendees at the meetings included not only cancer survivors and their families, but also healthcare professionals, local and state legislators, community leaders and the media. Results of the 1998 town hall meetings are discussed and compared with the topics identified during the meetings held in 1994-1996. Town hall participants were outspoken about what is needed in America if cancer is truly to become the nation's healthcare priority. They are asking for equal access to quality care, increases in financial backing for research, and more support for cancer advocacy efforts. Benefits of holding town hall meetings are identified.
本文介绍了市政厅会议的概念，并探讨了如何将其用作那些受癌症影响者的论坛。它可以成为人们表达对癌症看法的平台，不仅在社区层面，而且在全国范围内。赋权是市政厅会议的标志。医疗保健领域的领导人员、民选官员和社区领袖有机会听取代表受癌症影响的广泛选民群体的人们的意见。举办市政厅会议的想法最初是由全国癌症幸存者联盟（NCCS）引入癌症社区的，作为识别问题、交流信息和思考问题创造性解决方案的一种方式。第一次市政厅会议于1994年与NCCS年度大会同时举行。从那时起，根据NCCS制定的指导方针，美国各地已举行了30多次市政厅会议。总体而言，癌症幸存者负责在当地为举办市政厅会议争取必要的支持。美国癌症协会、美国白血病协会、医院、诊所、制药和医疗保健公司等组织，以及基督教青年会、教会和广播/电视台等非癌症相关团体，与癌症幸存者一起组织会议、策划相关展览并宣传活动。1998年，OnCare和NCCS联合主办了七次市政厅会议，以提前支持即将于1998年9月在华盛顿特区举行的全国性集会“携手战胜癌症大游行”。会议的与会者不仅包括癌症幸存者及其家人，还包括医疗保健专业人员、地方和州立法者、社区领袖以及媒体。本文讨论了1998年市政厅会议的结果，并与1994 - 1996年会议期间确定的主题进行了比较。市政厅会议的参与者直言不讳地说明了如果癌症真的要成为美国医疗保健的优先事项，美国需要做些什么。他们要求获得平等的优质医疗服务、增加对研究的资金支持以及对癌症宣传工作的更多支持。文中还指出了举办市政厅会议的益处。
