Janet is a pharmacologist by training, has four daughters and a significant combined family history of medical conditions. From assisting her husband in his country dental practice back to medical research then over to the ‘other’ side to take the health consumer perspective, Janet has a particular interest in evidence-based health care, shared decision making with informed consent and a safe and effective health system. She is Convenor of the Cochrane Consumer Network (The Cochrane Collaboration) and a consumer representative on Australian national pathology, musculoskeletal, registry and health technology assessment committees. Close to home, she is a member of the Community Advisory Committee for the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia.