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Genetics on stage: Public engagement in health policy development on preimplantation genetic diagnosis

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  • Cox, Susan M.
  • Kazubowski-Houston, Magdalena
  • Nisker, Jeff

Abstract

Arts-based approaches to public engagement offer unique advantages over traditional methods of consultation. Here we describe and assess our use of theatre as a method of public engagement in the development of health policy on preimplantation genetic diagnosis, a controversial method for selecting the genetic characteristics of embryos created through in vitro fertilization. Funding from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and Health Canada supported 16 performances of the play Orchids in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal and post-performance discussion in English and French (with Hubert Doucet) in 2005. A total of 741 individuals attended. The methods used to assess audience engagement and elicit policy-relevant dialogue included in-theatre observation of audience responses, moderated post-performance large audience discussion and focus groups, audience feedback forms and researcher fieldnotes. Emphasizing process and context over emerging outcomes, we reflect on the distinctive contributions of theatre in stimulating public engagement and the need to utilize multiple methods to adequately assess these contributions. We suggest continued dialogue about the possible uses of theatre in health policy development and conclude that greater clarity is needed with regard to citizens' (as well as specific stakeholders, policy makers' and sponsors') desired outcomes if there is to be a suitably nuanced and reflexive basis for assessing the effectiveness of various strategies for public engagement.

Suggested Citation

  • Cox, Susan M. & Kazubowski-Houston, Magdalena & Nisker, Jeff, 2009. "Genetics on stage: Public engagement in health policy development on preimplantation genetic diagnosis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(8), pages 1472-1480, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:68:y:2009:i:8:p:1472-1480
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nisker, Jeff & Martin, Douglas K. & Bluhm, Robyn & Daar, Abdallah S., 2006. "Theatre as a public engagement tool for health-policy development," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(2-3), pages 258-271, October.
    2. Abelson, Julia & Forest, Pierre-Gerlier & Eyles, John & Smith, Patricia & Martin, Elisabeth & Gauvin, Francois-Pierre, 2003. "Deliberations about deliberative methods: issues in the design and evaluation of public participation processes," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(2), pages 239-251, July.
    3. Davis, Kat Kleman & Davis, Jeffrey Sasha & Dowler, Lorraine, 2004. "In motion, out of place: the public space(s) of Tourette Syndrome," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(1), pages 103-112, July.
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    1. W. Willems & A. Heltzel & J. Nabuurs & J. Broerse & F. Kupper, 2023. "Welcome to the fertility clinic of the future! Using speculative design to explore the moral landscape of reproductive technologies," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Nichols, Jennica & Cox, Susan M. & Cook, Christina & Lea, Graham W. & Belliveau, George, 2022. "Research-based Theatre about veterans transitioning home: A mixed-methods evaluation of audience impacts," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    3. Jennifer L. Lapum & Linda Liu & Kathryn Church & Terrence M. Yau & Perin Ruttonsha & Alison Matthews David & Bruk Retta, 2014. "Arts-Informed Research Dissemination in the Health Sciences," SAGE Open, , vol. 4(1), pages 21582440145, February.

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