Community Forum and Deliberative Survey

The panelists discuss potential hopes, concerns and suggestions with community members

Over 120 community members participated in the Forum held at Arena Joondalup

Expert panelists Ms Michele Kosky (Health Consumers' Council WA); Prof Ian Constable (Director, Lions Eye Institute) and Prof Jon Emery (Chair of General Practice, UWA)

Ms Veronica Kerr shares her experience of life with breast cancer and the role of clinical trials in her recovery

JFHS Scientific Director, Prof Lyle Palmer, with the Hon Dr Judy Edwards MLA (WA Minister for Science and the Environment) , who gave the closing address

December 10th, 2005 - Event at Arena Joondalup

Over 120 members of the Joondalup community had their say at the first Community Forum for the proposed Joondalup Family Health Study in December.

The Joondalup Family Health Study is a collaboration of some of Western Australias leading researchers and health professionals. The study hopes to follow the long-term health of the Joondalup community, through regular, detailed health, diet and lifestyle checks. This will enable a new and powerful understanding of the diseases that affect so many of us.

The forum was part of on ongoing public engagement process and was an opportunity for the community to learn more about the study and have their questions and concerns answered by expert panel members. It was also an opportunity for the study team to hear suggestions, concerns and hopes directly from the community.

Keynote

Forum participants were addressed by some of WA's key community members, including 2005 Australian of the Year Dr Fiona Wood; WA Minister for Science and Environment, Hon Dr Judy Edwards MLA and Study Head, UWA Professor Lyle Palmer from the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research.

Expert Panels

Two expert panels comprising Professor Ian Constable (Director, Lions Eye Institute); Professor Margaret Otlowski (Deputy Director of the Centre for Law and Genetics, University of Tasmania); Professor Jon Emery (Chair, General Practice, UWA) and Michele Kosky from the Health Consumers Council of WA, engaged in discussions with participants, with the feedback being implemented in the study design and planning.

Your Choice

For example, some community members indicated they would rather receive health feedback directly, whilst others would prefer this information to come via their family doctor. The study will therefore be designed to allow participants a choice in how they wish to receive their health information.

Community Support

Forum participants were surveyed at the beginning and the end of the day to see how their views changed after receiving further information and feedback. A picture of strong community support emerged from the survey, with 96% of respondents saying they thought the study was important. 85% of people were interested in participating in the study and 85% were likley to allow their children to participate (click here for more details).

This information will now be used by the study team to plan more community engagement initiatives.

Summary

At the conclusion of the forum, all participants went home with a summary document [0.1MB, PDF] of the day's discussions.