Table 4 Comparison between patient organisations that either did or did not try to obtain reimbursement

Patient organisation

(and number if >1)

Asthma (and Allergy)

Heart and vascular disease (3)

Parkinson disease

Diabetes (2)

ADHD

Multiple Scleroses

Asthma (and Allergy) (2)

Heart and vascular disease (2)

Parkinson disease (2)

Diabetes

ADHD

Multiple Scleroses

Addison and Cushing disease (2)

Countries

Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Finland, Netherlands, Sweden

Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, France, Netherlands, Sweden

Switzerland

Average number of paid employees

26 (range: 7-80)

5 (range: 0-17)

Average number of volunteers

200-500 (range: <200 - >500)

< 200 (range: <200-500)

Average number of affiliated patients

31.080 (range: 5.500 - 90.000)

9.805 (range: 850 -36.000)

Sort organisation

(and number if > 1) ¹

Independent: 9

An umbrella for a number of smaller patient organisations: 2

Part of a European network of patient organisations: 6

Part of an international network of patient organisations: 6

Independent: 10

An umbrella for a number of smaller patient organisations: 2

Part of a European network of patient organisations: 6

Part of an international network of patient organisations: 2