examination of theatre as a tool for public engagement in policy development regarding genetic testing.
Published: 2005
Language: eng
Number of pages: 219
Description: In a justice-based democracy, engagement of large numbers of citizens of diverse perspectives is required for legitimate policy development. All current strategies of citizen participation are limited in their capacity to engage, either by lack of opportunity to educate citizens prior to soliciting their opinions or lack of large numbers of citizens. Research into innovative methods of public engagement regarding genetic testing is particularly urgent because the rapid development of genetic tests has resulted in complex clinical and psychosocial implications for persons, families, and communities, as well as resource allocation concerns. This research consisted of 12 nested case studies that included performances of a 70-minute play, specifically written to educate citizens to the scientific, clinical, and psychosocial issues regarding genetic testing and to foster empathy for the persons immersed in the issues, as well as a 1-hour audience discussion that was taped and transcribed for qualitative analysis. The script was based on key informant interviews, literature review, and 6 script readings for key informants and communities. Over 1000 citizens were engaged. The analysis of audience members' comments indicated that a play, specifically written for policy development, could engage audience members, emotionally and cognitively in the position of the characters, and promote the understanding of the health-policy issues in which they were immersed. Audience members' comments, forwarded from personal and professional lived experience, confirmed the validity of the script and promoted further emotional and cognitive engagement of audience members. Audience members' comments demonstrated that citizens engaged by theatre could provide informed and diverse opinions on policy issues. Potential harm to key informants and audience members (and those in relationships with them) were observed, usually stemming from their learning information or offering personal information regarding their genetic risk. This research suggests that as many citizens can be engaged in theatre-based policy development as surveyed through public opinion polls, and many times that number can be engaged in strategies that educate citizens prior to soliciting their opinions (at the same cost per citizen engaged). Recommendations for the use of theatre as a tool for public engagement in health-policy formation were developed.
Notes: Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Toronto, 2005.

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Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 66-06, Section: B, page: 3037.