Table 1 Differences in approach between Bern and Lausanne
Element | Lausanne Model | Bern Model |
|---|---|---|
Initial inclusion in the group | Individual recruitment via community partners. No contract or informed consent | Initial information session, followed by contract and informed consent |
Group composition | 59% female, mean age 62 years. Patients from our local academic practice (30%), local consumer organization (18%), an association for the elderly (10%), standardized patients (10%), and personal contacts of other participants or the researchers (32%) | 70% female, mean age 65 years. Standardized patients (100%). |
Topics discussed | Decision aids for colorectal, prostate and lung cancer screening | Multiple documents and components of colorectal cancer screening |
Meeting frequency | Average three in-person meetings and two mailings per year, scheduled when materials became available | Two-hour, in-person meeting every quarter |
Reimbursement | Cost of parking and public transport; 50 CHF gift certificates distributed to in-person and mail participants | 30 CHF/hour salary, paid by the Swiss National Science Foundation as a one-time annual bank transfer |
Information sources | In-person meetings with 6 to 10 people supplemented by mailings to an additional 30 to 40 people | In-person meetings with 7 to 10 people employing both round-table discussions and small-group workshops |