'Patients Included' or Dilbert cartoon?

'Binders of Women' (yes! there are plenty of extremely capable women advocates that would be of value at your conference):  The Walking Gallery, SpeakerLink, Regina Holliday, Partnership WITH Patients

Patients Included! Conference designers signal whether 'welcome mat' is out for patients/advocates.  

Let Patients Help!  The value of conferences is elevated by patient/provider diversity in attendees.

An upcoming inaugural Patient Safety Summit limits patient engagement because of these barriers: 

1. insular invitation limiting diversity of attendees, 
2. cost/location factors 
3. gender bias

On the invitation: 'Who Should Attend'? 

 Hospital Executives

 Physicians

 Nurses

 Biomedical Engineers

 Industry Executives

 Payers

 Government Officials

       (  omitted:  patients/advocates  )

  Cost/Location

   $500 Registration

      $700 Flight/Parking/Taxi

      $500 Hotel

$ 1700 minimum total cost

  Presenter Selection Bias

   Predominantly male medical professionals, though selected 'patient voices' are predominantly female/non-medical professionals