10 March 2020 - The terminology used to describe community participation in health technology assessment is contested and frequently confusing. 

The terms patients, consumers, public, lay members, customers, users, citizens, and others have been variously used, sometimes interchangeably. 

Clarity in the use of terms and goals for including the different groups is needed to mitigate existing inconsistencies in the application of patient and public involvement across HTA processes around the world.

Read International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care article