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.
posted by Erika at 12:06 PM
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