Journal of Clinical & Experimental Pathology
Open Access

Abstract

From its beginnings in 1991 the Banff Transplant Pathology meetings have used physician led consensus generation which is very different from the professional facilitator led consensus generation usually employed. The success of this approach over twenty-four years speaks for itself. There is a literature on such expert led consensus generation which outlines the approach which has been taken in the meeting. Kaner�??s 2007 book Facilitator�??s Guide to Participatory Decision-making, 2nd edition page 59 �??Listening with a Point of View�?�, states that these steps should be employed by the expert facilitator: (1) Raise the issue. State your position, (2) Ask for reactions, (3) Respond as a facilitator would by drawing people out and paraphrasing what they are saying; error on the side of more drawing people out, (4) After at least two moves of facilitative listening, give yourself the floor to speak, explain your perspective, answer questions, explain, advocate as needed and (5) Repeat steps 2-4 as needed remembering to balance your own point of view with at least twice as much facilitative listening. These skills and how to follow these five steps are now being passed on the new generations of pathologists as the Banff consensus generating process continues to evolve and expand through successive meetings and mentoring cycles within the framework of the newly formed Banff Foundation for Allograft Pathology.

Biography

Rongjia Liu is currently studying in the nutrition and dietetics program at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She is interested in the connection between human nutrition and health and aspires to become a registered dietitian after graduation. She works with Dr. Solez on many of his projects, including planning for the upcoming 2015 Banff Transplant Pathology meeting in Vancouver, videography for the course LABMP590 on technology and the future of medicine, and assisting with the weekly pathology-nephrology clinical rounds at the University of Alberta hospital.