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 di scussion with community group participants was followed by a communication workshop between community group participants and experts. Four groups of c oncerns or themes emerged from discussion: clinical considerations; legisla tive concerns; research priorities, and ethical and wider considerations. C ommunity group concerns are not always met by the actions of "experts". Thi s is, in part, because of the differing life-worlds of each group. However, the communication workshop showed the potential of two-way communication f or both lay and expert members in understanding the others' viewpoint. Furt her, the approach developed here offers one possible way for community grou ps to participate in a substantial way in policy formulation processes.