Hi,
No takers for this "gig" so far! No we aren't any different to any other people, and we need to see whats really wanted from the people who ultimately use our services.
We may do research into particular areas of disease but get so compartmentalised it can be different to see the bigger picture. One of the major research drivers is to find diagnostic tools and tests that can aid in personalising medicine. For example HER2 testing and Herceptin treatment. In fact the whole health economic system benefits from this type of approach as the treatments have higher efficacy.
Other people have responded regarding things like getting results emailed directly to the patient etc. Again these are very important issues, which I think the professionals need to address, take for example this conversation on a biochemistry email group just today: https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A1=ind1108&L=ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN#28 (patient who wants his own blood back) these exchanges illustrate differing views on the role of the patient in our processes.
I think we are at a tipping point in this area and input would be gratefully received.
Best Wishes
Craig
