Table 2 Principles and indicators of successful consumer involvement*

The roles of consumers are agreed

• The roles of consumers were documented

The cost of consumer involvement is budgeted for

• Consumers were reimbursed for their travel

• Consumers were reimbursed for their indirect costs (e.g. carer costs)

Policymakers respect the differing skills, knowledge and experience of consumers

• The contribution of consumers was reported

Consumers are offered training and personal support to enable their involvement

• Consumers were provided with training to enable their involvement

Policymakers ensure that they have the necessary skills to involve consumers effectively

• Policymakers were provided with training to enable them to involve consumers effectively

Consumers are involved in decision making

• Consumers' advice was documented

• Consumers' role in decision making was documented

Consumer involvement is described in policy briefs

• Consumers' contributions were described and acknowledged in policy briefs

Policy briefs are available to consumers in formats and languages they can easily understand

• Summaries of policy briefs were disseminated to consumers in appropriate formats