JOINT SCIENTIFIC AND DELIBERATIVE APPROACH
Public scientific process that combines input from experts and from individuals with lived experiences
WHAT IS IT?
A joint scientific and deliberative approach provides a framework for decision-making in public health and health policy. It values both the expertise of scientists, medical providers, public health experts, and institutions and that of individuals with lived experiences to assess the value of treatments, medication, programs, and policies.
While experts determine medically necessary and medically appropriate interventions, individuals have primary agency in maintaining and improving their health capability. Standards based on expert opinion, evidence-based science, and diversity of experiences across the population are critical to sound decisions.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Decisions should be made by appealing to one’s health capability, their health agency, and health functioning. A joint scientific and deliberative approach will provide us with a coherent framework to address global and domestic health challenges and sustain functioning health care and public health systems. This allows us to include the input of everyone.
A joint scientific and deliberative approach not only values science and evidence, but also fairness in collaboration and deliberation among many people when making health-related decisions.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
A joint scientific and deliberative approach can assess and evaluate health information and interventions.
For example, through deliberations, updates to medical and scientific recommendations and guidelines are made regularly for the public. This is done so we can account for changes in knowledge, technology, costs, and people’s experiences.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, providing up-to-date, evidence-based clinical and public health guidance to health professionals, institutions, and the public is critical. Providing data on the reality and distribution of people’s experiences is essential. These guidelines are necessary because they systematically bring together expertise, experience, and evidence for addressing epidemics equitably and efficiently.
HOW DO WE DO IT?
Employing a joint scientific and deliberative approach requires a commitment by everyone, including policymakers, public health experts, medical providers, scientists, health institutions, and the public. There must be a shared sense of values and responsibilities, and everyone must prioritize scientifically grounded systems and guidelines.
We must value science, public health, and medicine, as well as individual and population experiences, when shaping health policy and public health, and we must prioritize individual and collective health agency when making decisions about our own health and that of others.