There is a rapidly growing number of patients' associations relating to a specific medical condition or illness (such as multiple sclerosis or motor neurone disease) but they have received little academic attention. Bruce Wood has surveyed over 200 of these associations in each of the USA and the UK. They have been marginalized in accounts of health policy and services and yet collectively they are 'big business'. They perceive themselves as being non-political support groups but they actually participate in much activity that is political. Patient Power? asks:

* are these economically efficient and politically effective bodies?

* is the US 'business' or the UK 'volunteer' model more successful?

* are they truly independent organizations or have they been 'colonized' by the big vested interests in
health?

* are they a signal of a more assertive patient or consumer?

* do they actually influence what health care people receive?

This is a ground-breaking study in health policy and management, and will be important reading for scholars, students and professionals and, in particular, for those involved in running patient organizations.