Genetic medicine: an experiment in community-expert interaction.
This project tested a two-way model of communication between lay groups and experts about genetic medicine in Perth, Western Australia. Focus group discussion with community group participants was followed by a communication workshop between community group participants and experts. Four groups of concerns or themes emerged from discussion: clinical considerations; legislative concerns; research priorities, and ethical and wider considerations. Community group concerns are not always met by the actions of "experts". This is, in part, because of the differing life-worlds of each group. However, the communication workshop showed the potential of two-way communication for both lay and expert members in understanding the others' viewpoint. Further, the approach developed here offers one possible way for community groups to participate in a substantial way in policy formulation processes.
Schibeci
R
R
Murdoch University, Western Australia.
Barns
I
I
Shaw
R
R
Davison
A
A
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003256:Community Participation; D028744:Ethics Committees, Research; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D017144:Focus Groups; D030661:Genetic Privacy; D036281:Genetic Research; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D033161:Government Regulation; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D012106:Research; D040841:Resource Allocation; D014904:Western Australia