Joining a research project

At a clinic…

Doctor: Read these (hands over 10 sheets of paper). This is a peak flow meter. Blow into it morning and night. Record where the indicator stops.

Patient: So it’s an experiment?

Doctor: Yes. We’re testing a new medication. It might stop your night wheezings.

Blow harder...

Patient: You give me meds and I give you data? A quid pro quo?

Doctor: Yes. You could put it that way. Just fill in the graph mornings and nights on how far you can make the peak flow meter rise. Add the weather and any side-effects you experience. Bring the graphs back to me after 4 weeks.

_______

Voice-over

An exchange of treatment for data. Trying out new treatments by getting patients to record their symptoms. Data collected, papers are written. Progress.