I am always dubious about labels [1] and prefer to judge people by
matters of principle – and their actions. The labels I carry myself in the
academic, medical and religious fields confuse and bewilder those people
who ask what I do and in what way I am involved in medical matters, and in
patient and public involvement in research. I believe that any progress I
might have contributed to in these fields has been achieved, not by
boycott, standing off, erecting barriers or by parading other people`s
shortcomings, but by pursuing dialogues [2]; establishing joint ventures
[3]; by working through differences of opinion [4]; by recommending that
patients and the profession should contrive `to meet on the landing by the
invigorating open window of science and talk`. [5]. Neither party who
might come from diametrically opposed corners [2] has a monopoly of `the
truth`; only by first meeting in the debating arena will there be any hope
of finding common ground and identifying mutually held objectives, looking
to a better future, then translating words into action by building
bridges, creating common goodwill, and by actively helping to make a
better future for all people – whatever labels they carry.
I encouraged my children to be courageous and independent, to grow
out of the childish “putting people in Coventry” phase, suggesting that it
only encourages further division, conflict and heartache.
Hazel Thornton. Hon. DSc. (Leicester)
Independent Advocate for Quality in Research and Healthcare.
[1] Refractor. Descriptions and discourses. Lancet 2001; 358:1106
[2] Michael Baum. Debate: Clinical trials – a brave new partnership:
a response to Mrs. Thornton. Journal of Medical Ethics. 1994; Volume 20;
Number 1:26-30
[3] Hazel Thornton. Patients and health professionals working
together to improve clinical research: where are we going? European
Journal of Cancer. 2006; 42:2454-2458, plus Appendix A. online at
doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2006.05.022
[4] Geoff Watts. Iain Chalmers: maverick master of medical evidence.
Lancet 2006; 368:2203
[5] Hazel Thornton The patient`s role in research. Health Committee
Third Report: Breast Cancer Services. Volume II. 6th July 1995. HMSO,
London. (Presentation at The Lancet “Challenge of Breast Cancer”
conference Bruges, 22nd April 1994. “The patient`s role in research”.)
Competing interests:
Michael Baum and I co-founded the Consumers` Advisory Group for Clinical Trials (CAG-CT) in 1994
Competing interests:
No competing interests
21 July 2007
Hazel Thornton
Honorary Visiting Fellow, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester
Rapid Response:
Balance and co-operation, not boycott
I am always dubious about labels [1] and prefer to judge people by
matters of principle – and their actions. The labels I carry myself in the
academic, medical and religious fields confuse and bewilder those people
who ask what I do and in what way I am involved in medical matters, and in
patient and public involvement in research. I believe that any progress I
might have contributed to in these fields has been achieved, not by
boycott, standing off, erecting barriers or by parading other people`s
shortcomings, but by pursuing dialogues [2]; establishing joint ventures
[3]; by working through differences of opinion [4]; by recommending that
patients and the profession should contrive `to meet on the landing by the
invigorating open window of science and talk`. [5]. Neither party who
might come from diametrically opposed corners [2] has a monopoly of `the
truth`; only by first meeting in the debating arena will there be any hope
of finding common ground and identifying mutually held objectives, looking
to a better future, then translating words into action by building
bridges, creating common goodwill, and by actively helping to make a
better future for all people – whatever labels they carry.
I encouraged my children to be courageous and independent, to grow
out of the childish “putting people in Coventry” phase, suggesting that it
only encourages further division, conflict and heartache.
Hazel Thornton. Hon. DSc. (Leicester)
Independent Advocate for Quality in Research and Healthcare.
[1] Refractor. Descriptions and discourses. Lancet 2001; 358:1106
[2] Michael Baum. Debate: Clinical trials – a brave new partnership:
a response to Mrs. Thornton. Journal of Medical Ethics. 1994; Volume 20;
Number 1:26-30
[3] Hazel Thornton. Patients and health professionals working
together to improve clinical research: where are we going? European
Journal of Cancer. 2006; 42:2454-2458, plus Appendix A. online at
doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2006.05.022
[4] Geoff Watts. Iain Chalmers: maverick master of medical evidence.
Lancet 2006; 368:2203
[5] Hazel Thornton The patient`s role in research. Health Committee
Third Report: Breast Cancer Services. Volume II. 6th July 1995. HMSO,
London. (Presentation at The Lancet “Challenge of Breast Cancer”
conference Bruges, 22nd April 1994. “The patient`s role in research”.)
Competing interests:
Michael Baum and I co-founded the Consumers` Advisory Group for Clinical Trials (CAG-CT) in 1994
Competing interests: No competing interests