Delving into the Domains
Monday, May 15, 2006
Domain Analysis: Expatica Health Forum
Cover Term:Dutch Healthcare
bIncluded Termsb
Feelings
bA joke, abysmal, hassle, stressful, labyrinth, rip-off, reasonable, greedy, not working well
Monetary Statements
bCheap for the state, expensive for patients, cost, cheapest, 100 Euro, 85 Euro, rip-off, reasonable, income, money, government compensation, payment
Logistical Details
bWant the choice, no routine checks, treat everyone the same, register, basic package, required, eligibility, coverage, claim,
Semantic Relationships
bA joke, abysmal, Hassel, stressful, labyrinth, rip-off, reasonable, not working well, and greedy are kinds of feelings about Dutch Healthcare
bCheap for the state, expensive for the patients, cost, cheapest, 100 Euro, 85 Euro, rip-off, reasonable, income, money, government compensation, and payment are kinds of monetary statements regarding Dutch Healthcare
bWant the choice, no routine checks, teat everyone the same, basic package, register, required, eligibility, coverage and claim are kinds of logistical details regarding Dutch Healthcare
bAffordances and Limitations of Domain Analysisb
bThe greatest thing about this method is its ability to put each little detail into the larger picture of my analysis of the topic. Just as each individual brush stroke makes a picture the great masterpiece that it is, each term is building blocks of the larger domain of healthcare issues. Thus, in order to truly understand the larger issue and the patterns within the domain, I must be familiar with all of the smaller components such as those raised in the Expatica Healthcare Forum. Also, observation of interactions and domain analysis will be a very feasible method when looking at health care, as interviews and obtaining information from clinics and hospitals would prove difficult due to confidentiality laws. If I can employ this method and use analysis to delve deeper into the various domains, I will be able to develop a full comparison of clinics in the US to those in Amsterdam.
bThe limitations of this method seem to be just those things that I feel might be helpful. If I get too caught up in the little details, I could lose focus of the bigger idea that I am developing. Furthermore, I must still insert my own feelings and ideas into my project, using domain analysis only as a tool to objectively further more research. On the whole, I feel that observations of this sort in which I make inferences into the deeper issues of the domain through patterns I observe will provide a wealth of information.
Feelings
bA joke, abysmal, hassle, stressful, labyrinth, rip-off, reasonable, greedy, not working well
Monetary Statements
bCheap for the state, expensive for patients, cost, cheapest, 100 Euro, 85 Euro, rip-off, reasonable, income, money, government compensation, payment
Logistical Details
bWant the choice, no routine checks, treat everyone the same, register, basic package, required, eligibility, coverage, claim,
Semantic Relationships
bA joke, abysmal, Hassel, stressful, labyrinth, rip-off, reasonable, not working well, and greedy are kinds of feelings about Dutch Healthcare
bCheap for the state, expensive for the patients, cost, cheapest, 100 Euro, 85 Euro, rip-off, reasonable, income, money, government compensation, and payment are kinds of monetary statements regarding Dutch Healthcare
bWant the choice, no routine checks, teat everyone the same, basic package, register, required, eligibility, coverage and claim are kinds of logistical details regarding Dutch Healthcare
bAffordances and Limitations of Domain Analysisb
bThe greatest thing about this method is its ability to put each little detail into the larger picture of my analysis of the topic. Just as each individual brush stroke makes a picture the great masterpiece that it is, each term is building blocks of the larger domain of healthcare issues. Thus, in order to truly understand the larger issue and the patterns within the domain, I must be familiar with all of the smaller components such as those raised in the Expatica Healthcare Forum. Also, observation of interactions and domain analysis will be a very feasible method when looking at health care, as interviews and obtaining information from clinics and hospitals would prove difficult due to confidentiality laws. If I can employ this method and use analysis to delve deeper into the various domains, I will be able to develop a full comparison of clinics in the US to those in Amsterdam.
bThe limitations of this method seem to be just those things that I feel might be helpful. If I get too caught up in the little details, I could lose focus of the bigger idea that I am developing. Furthermore, I must still insert my own feelings and ideas into my project, using domain analysis only as a tool to objectively further more research. On the whole, I feel that observations of this sort in which I make inferences into the deeper issues of the domain through patterns I observe will provide a wealth of information.
A Walk Around the Medical System
Monday, May 08, 2006
bIn an attempt to delve deeper into my research, I employed the Urban Research Methods presented by Professor Dennis Ryan. I first was a bit unconvinced as to the power of these research methods in my project. However, these methods got me thinking about new ways to look at the delivery of healthcare……and so I am once again left with so many thoughts flying around in my head.
The People
bYounger crowd with an average age of about 30. The youngest was in his teens and the oldest in her 70’s or 80’s.
bMany of the people in the waiting room looked to be homeless (judging by their clothing and general hygiene…although I hate to make such umbrella assumptions), or inhabitants of the inner city (lower-class).
Their Actions
bIn my time there (from 11p-12a) I observed 4 ambulances pull up with individuals to be treated. 2 of these men appeared to be very intoxicated, one of which had a large cut across his forehead. One woman was wheeled in on a stretcher, and had been given charcoal (I assume to combat a drug overdose), and the other woman was just wheeled in on a stretcher with no apparent signs of distress.
Their Interactions
bIt seemed that some of these patients were regulars of the ER at Harborview from the greetings that they were given by the staff as the nurses immediately knew one man and woman by their first names.
bThe staff appeared to have little patience for the 2 inebriated men, leaving one to lay on a stretcher in the hallway. Perhaps this impatience stems from the nightly occurrence of intoxicated patients.
The People
bOlder individuals (60-70) and some middle aged men and women
bWell dressed
bMany accompanied by another person
Their Actions
bMany on cell phones and reading the magazines provided
bFew people had any outward signs of injury or distress. Perhaps they were on more of a routine check up basis.
Their Interactions
bNo interaction between patients in the waiting room. Simply sat quietly and minded their own business.
bOnly interaction between people in the waiting room was during the initial process of checking in. No small talk was had between the staff and patients, simply questions about insurance, etc.
bHarborview Medical Centerb
bOn Sunday night around 11 pm I took a visit to the Emergency Room of Harborview Medical Center. While there, I observed the people, their actions, and the interactions between all of the people. The People
bYounger crowd with an average age of about 30. The youngest was in his teens and the oldest in her 70’s or 80’s.
bMany of the people in the waiting room looked to be homeless (judging by their clothing and general hygiene…although I hate to make such umbrella assumptions), or inhabitants of the inner city (lower-class).
Their Actions
bIn my time there (from 11p-12a) I observed 4 ambulances pull up with individuals to be treated. 2 of these men appeared to be very intoxicated, one of which had a large cut across his forehead. One woman was wheeled in on a stretcher, and had been given charcoal (I assume to combat a drug overdose), and the other woman was just wheeled in on a stretcher with no apparent signs of distress.
Their Interactions
bIt seemed that some of these patients were regulars of the ER at Harborview from the greetings that they were given by the staff as the nurses immediately knew one man and woman by their first names.
bThe staff appeared to have little patience for the 2 inebriated men, leaving one to lay on a stretcher in the hallway. Perhaps this impatience stems from the nightly occurrence of intoxicated patients.
bMinor and James Medical Centerb
bOn Monday morning, around 9 am I sat in the waiting room of my doctor’s office. The People
bOlder individuals (60-70) and some middle aged men and women
bWell dressed
bMany accompanied by another person
Their Actions
bMany on cell phones and reading the magazines provided
bFew people had any outward signs of injury or distress. Perhaps they were on more of a routine check up basis.
Their Interactions
bNo interaction between patients in the waiting room. Simply sat quietly and minded their own business.
bOnly interaction between people in the waiting room was during the initial process of checking in. No small talk was had between the staff and patients, simply questions about insurance, etc.
bCompare and Contrastb
Similarities
bUrban spaces that have capacity to treat people's health conditions
bIn the First Hill area of Seattle, so patients at both locations have the ability to visit both places
bLittle interaction between patients
bObservations done in the waiting room
Differences
bPopulations that frequent the space. Those with insurance could be seen at Minor and James, while those at Harborview appeared to be individuals that might not have access to any health coverage.
bReasons for visit. It seemed that the care being given at Minor and James was more of a diagnostic care and preventative measures, while at Harborview it was more of care that was needed as an emergency occurred. Of course, this is to be expected as Harborview is an Emergency Room, while Minor and James is not.
bFlow of people at each location. At Minor and James, there was a steady flow of new patients at all times, while at Harborview there would be a few individuals that would trickle in throughout the hour.
bUrban spaces that have capacity to treat people's health conditions
bIn the First Hill area of Seattle, so patients at both locations have the ability to visit both places
bLittle interaction between patients
bObservations done in the waiting room
Differences
bPopulations that frequent the space. Those with insurance could be seen at Minor and James, while those at Harborview appeared to be individuals that might not have access to any health coverage.
bReasons for visit. It seemed that the care being given at Minor and James was more of a diagnostic care and preventative measures, while at Harborview it was more of care that was needed as an emergency occurred. Of course, this is to be expected as Harborview is an Emergency Room, while Minor and James is not.
bFlow of people at each location. At Minor and James, there was a steady flow of new patients at all times, while at Harborview there would be a few individuals that would trickle in throughout the hour.
bWhile in Amsterdamb
bIn Amsterdam, I feel that this observational, urban, field research will prove very helpful. In hopes of examining the way that different groups use healthcare in Amsterdam, my observations as to the types of groups and the problems afflicting each group in the different settings will help me develop a relevant and feasible research question. If I follow up with a few interviews with doctors and patients, I will be able to fill in the gaps that my observations leave open. I could ask the doctors about the differences in the care that they deliver to different economic groups, as well as is they have to alter the care they give due to cultural beliefs and expectations. In the days to come, I hope to narrow my topic to a specific culture in Amsterdam, or a specific economic group, and examine the accessiblity of the Dutch healthcare system to this group.
Seeing Beauty in Difference
Thursday, May 04, 2006
bUrbanity, Tolerance & Public Space: The Creation of Cosmopolitansb
bCities expose, confront, and if cosmopolitan, accept and appreciate differences. Chinatowns, Little Italy’s, and Jewish Quarters, scattered across large cities in the United States preserve culture while living under the far reaching scopes of the laws of this nation. If a community is governed by negative tolerance, one will put up with differences only because they are unaware of such discrepancies or because the difference has no effect on one’s life. Negative tolerance gives way to the “out of sight, out of mind” principle. In Amsterdam, then, is the Red Light district tolerated simply because people never have to venture into the area to satisfy any needs? Do they simply put up with the District because what occurs there does not affect their lives in any way? What if, however, drug use and crime from the area spilled over into their community? Would they then have such feelings of tolerance? With positive tolerance, however, one is understanding of and appreciative of another individuals realized differences, even when these differences play a role in the interaction of these individuals. In this case, then, an individual who positively tolerates the Red Light District, would do so knowingly because they understand and accept the actions that occur in the area. How can we get people to act positively tolerant, learning to value differences, rather than feeling the need to overcome them? In a large diverse city, it is only natural that differences will exist between citizens. But recognition of this fact, coupled with an appreciation for these differences, is the basis of cosmopolitanism. A “good city,” is one in which these differences are recognized while still living civilly. At the same time though, one must be able to exercise autonomy, making the decision to have close contact with another individual with noted differences, stemming from the idea that one can only be tolerant if they so choose to be. It is in public spaces that people can learn that individuals with differences can act together without the necessity of being the same. These differences must be viewed as meaningful in public spaces, so that people can learn to love the richness that differences bring to the city. As a society, we need not destroy the lines that separate, but must learn to cross these lines and interact while preserving the culture of each unique area. You Can't Judge a Book by It's Cover
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
bAt first, I was weary of how Zeisel’s “Tools for Environment-Behavior Research” could prove useful to my research of the medical system in Amsterdam. While I initially felt that some of Zeisel’s points were simply re-iterating the daily observations that many of us make numerous times per hour, I now see that his environmental tools could serve as a guide for one part of my research.
bYou must take all observations with a grain of salt. While an observation can act as the basis for an hypothesis, you must take many other things into account when proving or disproving your hypothesis. While observers can omit details that may be important to the event or setting and may insert too many personal feelings and biases into their observation, it is personal background of those being observed that is a silent participant in the scene. Perhaps there are cultural, rather than economic, reasons that a doctor does not order a diagnostic test for a patient, or perhaps a doctor is simply rushing through patients so as to get home to a sick child of his own. Thus, while I now feel that observations will be a powerful part of my developing my research, I must delve deeper than these distant interactions. As they say, you can’t judge a book by its cover. What you see on the outside, or through one’s actions, may be very different than the story that is within that book or person. However, through identification of significant patterns, or “standing patterns of behavior,” perhaps my observations will be validated with such repetitive actions.
bI have to question, though, how fruitful my unobtrusive observations will be. Is it feasible for me to perform observations in a doctor’s office or hospital if I am forced to take a distant vantage point, sitting back and observing in hallways and waiting rooms? Will I be able to witness any pertinent actions? Or are all those actions occurring behind closed doors? On the other hand, though, this vantage point could prove the most useful. If patients were to recognize me as an outsider, rather than just another patient in the waiting room, they may alter their actions, tainting my observations. Thus, while I am very hopeful that these observational techniques will prove to be advantageous, I am now aware of the underlying issues that I must take into account along with my observations. I will take my observations with a grain of salt.
bHow can I relate behavioral observations that I collect to my broader topic of the economic effect of health care shifts??
bYou must take all observations with a grain of salt. While an observation can act as the basis for an hypothesis, you must take many other things into account when proving or disproving your hypothesis. While observers can omit details that may be important to the event or setting and may insert too many personal feelings and biases into their observation, it is personal background of those being observed that is a silent participant in the scene. Perhaps there are cultural, rather than economic, reasons that a doctor does not order a diagnostic test for a patient, or perhaps a doctor is simply rushing through patients so as to get home to a sick child of his own. Thus, while I now feel that observations will be a powerful part of my developing my research, I must delve deeper than these distant interactions. As they say, you can’t judge a book by its cover. What you see on the outside, or through one’s actions, may be very different than the story that is within that book or person. However, through identification of significant patterns, or “standing patterns of behavior,” perhaps my observations will be validated with such repetitive actions.
bI have to question, though, how fruitful my unobtrusive observations will be. Is it feasible for me to perform observations in a doctor’s office or hospital if I am forced to take a distant vantage point, sitting back and observing in hallways and waiting rooms? Will I be able to witness any pertinent actions? Or are all those actions occurring behind closed doors? On the other hand, though, this vantage point could prove the most useful. If patients were to recognize me as an outsider, rather than just another patient in the waiting room, they may alter their actions, tainting my observations. Thus, while I am very hopeful that these observational techniques will prove to be advantageous, I am now aware of the underlying issues that I must take into account along with my observations. I will take my observations with a grain of salt.
bHow can I relate behavioral observations that I collect to my broader topic of the economic effect of health care shifts??
The Humanist Conversation
Sunday, April 30, 2006
bI am such an analytical, logical person, that this humanities “stuff” was difficult for me to wrap my thoughts around. Nevertheless, I think I have finally un-jumbled my thoughts enough to make a coherent post.
bFrom Chandan’s talk regarding humanities research methods, I understand that our thoughts and logic can only be expressed so much as our metaphors of language will allow. Thus, different words, or metaphors, will lead us to very different answers. Such discrepancies can be noted in the varying nature of verifiable and non-verifiable questions, both telling unique stories. Verifiable questions, such as those asked by social-scientists, are those that are quantifiable and measurable, the “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” and “how.” Non-verifiable questions, however, are those used by humanists and attempt to capture one’s beliefs and opinions on a subject, with answers that are unique to a particular individual and situation. In essence, one will rarely come across the same answer twice to a non-verifiable question. And so, I pose these questions to you:
bVerifiable Questionb
Economically, how has the new Health Insurance Act and Exceptional Medical Expenses Act of the Netherlands affected the level of care that physicians can deliver to their patients?
bIn order to get to the solution, social scientists would examine graphs and charts with economic statistics and findings. Furthermore, they could examine the sorts of tests that are being given under the new model as opposed to those tests and procedures performed under the former model. What shifts have they observed? Have doctors had to cut back on the number of diagnostic tests they perform? Through fact-finding, each verifiable question leads one to a clear-cut solution.
bNon-Verifiable Questionb
What kind of effects do physicians believe the shift in Dutch health care has had on the care they can deliver to their patients?
bHumanists would delve into the topic by looking at the feelings of doctors regarding the shift. How do they see the shift? Is it good, bad, or ugly? Has this change enhanced the care they can give, or has it detracted from the quality they deliver? Whereas social scientists would try to uncover concrete answers to such questions, humanists look to develop unique thoughts and feelings regarding such topics.
bPower regimes affect our production of knowledge in every aspect of our lives. While language affects the delivery of our thoughts, it is power regimes that influence the initial production of these thoughts. How does the government influence citizen’s beliefs about their rights? And how then, does society’s view of health affect their beliefs about universal health care?
bWith such questions, I hope to not only find answers to the verifiable questions, but to develop a conversation around my non-verifiable questions.
bFrom Chandan’s talk regarding humanities research methods, I understand that our thoughts and logic can only be expressed so much as our metaphors of language will allow. Thus, different words, or metaphors, will lead us to very different answers. Such discrepancies can be noted in the varying nature of verifiable and non-verifiable questions, both telling unique stories. Verifiable questions, such as those asked by social-scientists, are those that are quantifiable and measurable, the “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” and “how.” Non-verifiable questions, however, are those used by humanists and attempt to capture one’s beliefs and opinions on a subject, with answers that are unique to a particular individual and situation. In essence, one will rarely come across the same answer twice to a non-verifiable question. And so, I pose these questions to you:
bVerifiable Questionb
Economically, how has the new Health Insurance Act and Exceptional Medical Expenses Act of the Netherlands affected the level of care that physicians can deliver to their patients?
bIn order to get to the solution, social scientists would examine graphs and charts with economic statistics and findings. Furthermore, they could examine the sorts of tests that are being given under the new model as opposed to those tests and procedures performed under the former model. What shifts have they observed? Have doctors had to cut back on the number of diagnostic tests they perform? Through fact-finding, each verifiable question leads one to a clear-cut solution.
bNon-Verifiable Questionb
What kind of effects do physicians believe the shift in Dutch health care has had on the care they can deliver to their patients?
bHumanists would delve into the topic by looking at the feelings of doctors regarding the shift. How do they see the shift? Is it good, bad, or ugly? Has this change enhanced the care they can give, or has it detracted from the quality they deliver? Whereas social scientists would try to uncover concrete answers to such questions, humanists look to develop unique thoughts and feelings regarding such topics.
bPower regimes affect our production of knowledge in every aspect of our lives. While language affects the delivery of our thoughts, it is power regimes that influence the initial production of these thoughts. How does the government influence citizen’s beliefs about their rights? And how then, does society’s view of health affect their beliefs about universal health care?
bWith such questions, I hope to not only find answers to the verifiable questions, but to develop a conversation around my non-verifiable questions.
A Small Taste of Amsterdam's Literature
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
"Living in the Red-Light District"--Maarten 't Hart
bAs sad as it is, sex sells in society. Advertisers utilize women’s bodies and men’s muscles to sell products and teenage girls use their voluptuous curves and flirtatious manner to attract young men. In Maarten ‘t Hart’s “Living in the Red-Light District,” there are “men who stroll past the windows, gaping, for fifteen solid hours, ‘spending the whole day doing nothing but window shopping’” (98). Not to get up on my soapbox and preach, but it I could never ever imagine placing myself in such a position as to turn myself into an object of these men’s desires. While I have nothing against prostitution as an institution, I simply could not overcome the attachment to an individual with which you share something so personal as a sexual encounter. While I would feel exploited by these male customers, other women, as noted in the story, feel empowered by this job. One young prostitute, a college graduate, was quick to point out the enjoyment that she experiences in “squeezing as much money as you can out of a guy […] Here it’s the men who are exploited, not the women” (104). Perhaps in seeing this simply as a job with a customer-employee relationship, these women are able to exclude any personal feelings and emotions that might usually come with such intimate encounters. In Amsterdam’s Red Light District, where the police and government leave these women to perform their duties, sex is a good to be sold.
"The Light at the End of the Tunnel"--Gerrit Komrij
bSin is in the eye of the beholder. Thus, isnt sin just a socially constructed object derived from individual's feelings and morals? What is “bad” to one might be the lifestyle of choice to another. Thus, when Jacob, in Gerrit Komrij’s “The Light at the End of the Tunnel,” is lured to Amsterdam by “a secret circle of people who practiced this sin and debauch with full abandon,” it is sinful as so judged by society (132). As time passes, however, what is defined as morally corrupt changes, and so different actions become taboo or accepted. While Amsterdam, with its air of acceptance, is open to various life styles and cultures, there will always be those actions that are thought of as abnormal, if only because of the prematurity of a new movement. When Jacob went to Amsterdam, ready to fully avail himself to the homosexual movement, he was discontent with his struggles to quickly locate this society. However, because of the lack of full acceptance, the movement was still totally underground, a small “city within a city” (138). It is this concept of many smaller entities making up the larger Amsterdam that is so interesting to me. While in Seattle we have a select few clear cultural centers, Amsterdam is a collective body of many unique and substantial population groups each with their own customs and beliefs. The gay community, then, is a “fixed circuit, a ritual” among Amsterdam that gives these individuals a place to belong; a place to remove the camouflage and show one’s true colors.
"The Assault"--Harry Mulisch
bWorld War II sucked the spirit out of Amsterdam for many years, robbing the city of many of its citizens and cultural diversity. In Harry Mulisch’s, “The Assault,” the period of the resistance and occupation robbed him of his mother, father, and brother in an act of retaliation spurring from the assassination of a prominent leader of the Nazi occupation force in Holland. Having suppressed these memories for the greater part of his middle-aged life, Anton finds himself revisiting places and people that begin to piece those memories back together. While the pain of these memories might be hard to deal with, how does this suppression of memories affect the character of the country of the Netherlands, or the city of Amsterdam? In slowly forgetting those names and faces of those Jews taken to internment camps or those killed in fighting, you are losing a small piece of the country. You can’t know where you are going without knowing from where you have come.
bAs sad as it is, sex sells in society. Advertisers utilize women’s bodies and men’s muscles to sell products and teenage girls use their voluptuous curves and flirtatious manner to attract young men. In Maarten ‘t Hart’s “Living in the Red-Light District,” there are “men who stroll past the windows, gaping, for fifteen solid hours, ‘spending the whole day doing nothing but window shopping’” (98). Not to get up on my soapbox and preach, but it I could never ever imagine placing myself in such a position as to turn myself into an object of these men’s desires. While I have nothing against prostitution as an institution, I simply could not overcome the attachment to an individual with which you share something so personal as a sexual encounter. While I would feel exploited by these male customers, other women, as noted in the story, feel empowered by this job. One young prostitute, a college graduate, was quick to point out the enjoyment that she experiences in “squeezing as much money as you can out of a guy […] Here it’s the men who are exploited, not the women” (104). Perhaps in seeing this simply as a job with a customer-employee relationship, these women are able to exclude any personal feelings and emotions that might usually come with such intimate encounters. In Amsterdam’s Red Light District, where the police and government leave these women to perform their duties, sex is a good to be sold.
"The Light at the End of the Tunnel"--Gerrit Komrij
bSin is in the eye of the beholder. Thus, isnt sin just a socially constructed object derived from individual's feelings and morals? What is “bad” to one might be the lifestyle of choice to another. Thus, when Jacob, in Gerrit Komrij’s “The Light at the End of the Tunnel,” is lured to Amsterdam by “a secret circle of people who practiced this sin and debauch with full abandon,” it is sinful as so judged by society (132). As time passes, however, what is defined as morally corrupt changes, and so different actions become taboo or accepted. While Amsterdam, with its air of acceptance, is open to various life styles and cultures, there will always be those actions that are thought of as abnormal, if only because of the prematurity of a new movement. When Jacob went to Amsterdam, ready to fully avail himself to the homosexual movement, he was discontent with his struggles to quickly locate this society. However, because of the lack of full acceptance, the movement was still totally underground, a small “city within a city” (138). It is this concept of many smaller entities making up the larger Amsterdam that is so interesting to me. While in Seattle we have a select few clear cultural centers, Amsterdam is a collective body of many unique and substantial population groups each with their own customs and beliefs. The gay community, then, is a “fixed circuit, a ritual” among Amsterdam that gives these individuals a place to belong; a place to remove the camouflage and show one’s true colors.
"The Assault"--Harry Mulisch
bWorld War II sucked the spirit out of Amsterdam for many years, robbing the city of many of its citizens and cultural diversity. In Harry Mulisch’s, “The Assault,” the period of the resistance and occupation robbed him of his mother, father, and brother in an act of retaliation spurring from the assassination of a prominent leader of the Nazi occupation force in Holland. Having suppressed these memories for the greater part of his middle-aged life, Anton finds himself revisiting places and people that begin to piece those memories back together. While the pain of these memories might be hard to deal with, how does this suppression of memories affect the character of the country of the Netherlands, or the city of Amsterdam? In slowly forgetting those names and faces of those Jews taken to internment camps or those killed in fighting, you are losing a small piece of the country. You can’t know where you are going without knowing from where you have come.
The Many Avenues of My Research
Sunday, April 23, 2006
bE-research enables an enormous spread of information and knowledge across many levels and disciplines. Does placing large reserves of knowledge on the web, however, alter the information being presented? In going from face-to-face interaction to that of a digitized mediation, forms of research will undeniably be transformed, but whether positively or negatively has been left unknown.
bAmsterdam Center for Health and Health Care Research (AmCOOG)b
Conducting research into the health of the general population as well as regarding the organization and structure of the health care system, it is my hope that AmCOOG will provide me with at least one strong contact in the field. As a program of the University of Amsterdam, Professors with PhD’s, as well as graduate students are involved in each of the specific areas of research, so I feel confident that I will be able to get in contact with someone very knowledgeable in the field of health care organization and conduct. Furthermore, linked to each individual is all of the papers that they have published, most of which has a direct link to some site on the web, providing a rich source of scholarly research.
bContacts
Dr. Arie Hasman, Medical Informatics
a.hasman@amc.uva.nl
Ronald Cornet, Representation of Bio-Medical knowledge and its applications
r.cornet@amc.uva.nl
Dr. Onyebuchi Arah, Health Services Research & Health Systems
o.a.arah@amc.una.nl
.....just a few of the 50 or so of interest
bClub of Amsterdam, Summit for the Future 2006b
The Club of Amsterdam is an international think tank aimed at generating ideas about relevant topics for the future as well as shaping the outcomes of the proposed ideas. In the Club of Amsterdam Journal, there are many scholarly articles about various issues affecting Amsterdam, but more specifically many articles regarding health care and medicine. Further, the Summit for the Future 2006, a program put on by the Club of Amsterdam, is a gathering of international thought leaders discussing a wide range of topics, a few of which have interests in health care management and medicine. These people, however, are directors of boards or presidents of companies, so it might be a bit difficult to get in touch with them specifically. However, by contacting the Club of Amsterdam, I hope to get a copy of the transcripts from the Summit detailing the leaders’ speeches. The articles in the journal though, and the bibliographies that follow, will prove to be a very valuable resource from this site, as it can point me in the right direction to get specific, reliable information in the field.
bContacts
Ken Rawlings
Club of Amsterdam
KNSM-Laan 15
1019 LA Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Phone +31-20-419 0254
Fax +31-20-419 0266
summit2006@clubofamsterdam.com
Club of Amsterdam Blog
Summit for the Future Blog
bExpat Focusb
As a forum for expatriates in the Netherlands, or individuals living outside of their native country, this site will prove very useful in my e-research. Because I am looking to focus my research on the efficiency of the health care system, it is necessary to interview patients to get their side of the story. While I might be able to interview Amsterdammers once I am in the city, I believe it will prove very useful to have a forum community that might respond to e-questionnaires on the topic of health care. Of course, I have no assurance that people will respond, but getting answers to these questions before I get to Amsterdam might help to guide my research while still in Seattle.
Others
bContacts
.....Anyone available on the forum at that time.
bOther Sourcesb
PubMed: a collection of scholarly articles across many different journals
Live Journal Netherlands Community: an active community for those living in the Netherlands.
bAmsterdam Center for Health and Health Care Research (AmCOOG)b
Conducting research into the health of the general population as well as regarding the organization and structure of the health care system, it is my hope that AmCOOG will provide me with at least one strong contact in the field. As a program of the University of Amsterdam, Professors with PhD’s, as well as graduate students are involved in each of the specific areas of research, so I feel confident that I will be able to get in contact with someone very knowledgeable in the field of health care organization and conduct. Furthermore, linked to each individual is all of the papers that they have published, most of which has a direct link to some site on the web, providing a rich source of scholarly research.
bContacts
Dr. Arie Hasman, Medical Informatics
a.hasman@amc.uva.nl
Ronald Cornet, Representation of Bio-Medical knowledge and its applications
r.cornet@amc.uva.nl
Dr. Onyebuchi Arah, Health Services Research & Health Systems
o.a.arah@amc.una.nl
.....just a few of the 50 or so of interest
bClub of Amsterdam, Summit for the Future 2006b
The Club of Amsterdam is an international think tank aimed at generating ideas about relevant topics for the future as well as shaping the outcomes of the proposed ideas. In the Club of Amsterdam Journal, there are many scholarly articles about various issues affecting Amsterdam, but more specifically many articles regarding health care and medicine. Further, the Summit for the Future 2006, a program put on by the Club of Amsterdam, is a gathering of international thought leaders discussing a wide range of topics, a few of which have interests in health care management and medicine. These people, however, are directors of boards or presidents of companies, so it might be a bit difficult to get in touch with them specifically. However, by contacting the Club of Amsterdam, I hope to get a copy of the transcripts from the Summit detailing the leaders’ speeches. The articles in the journal though, and the bibliographies that follow, will prove to be a very valuable resource from this site, as it can point me in the right direction to get specific, reliable information in the field.
bContacts
Ken Rawlings
Club of Amsterdam
KNSM-Laan 15
1019 LA Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Phone +31-20-419 0254
Fax +31-20-419 0266
summit2006@clubofamsterdam.com
Club of Amsterdam Blog
Summit for the Future Blog
bExpat Focusb
As a forum for expatriates in the Netherlands, or individuals living outside of their native country, this site will prove very useful in my e-research. Because I am looking to focus my research on the efficiency of the health care system, it is necessary to interview patients to get their side of the story. While I might be able to interview Amsterdammers once I am in the city, I believe it will prove very useful to have a forum community that might respond to e-questionnaires on the topic of health care. Of course, I have no assurance that people will respond, but getting answers to these questions before I get to Amsterdam might help to guide my research while still in Seattle.
Others
bContacts
.....Anyone available on the forum at that time.
bOther Sourcesb
PubMed: a collection of scholarly articles across many different journals
Live Journal Netherlands Community: an active community for those living in the Netherlands.
