While i have given some account of my symptoms in earlier posts, it seems useful to give a quick recap to contextualize why i found the hospital space so difficult to navigate. And let’s be clear from the outset: i am an extremely privileged patient in Delhi. i am physically inclined to get good serviceContinue reading “A hospital is no place to be sick (delhi summer illness 5)”
Monthly Archives: September 2016
things to report about focus group data collection for social science reporting
For better or for worse, focus group discussions are a common way of gathering qualitative information in the social sciences, as a standalone activity or used in parallel or sequentially with other types of research activities. My general sense is that focus groups are used far too often when one-on-one interviews [do not use FGDsContinue reading “things to report about focus group data collection for social science reporting”
inverted quarantines, mosquitoes & the common man in delhi
This post has been some time in the making, ever since Raul Pacheco-Vega introduced me to Andrew Szasz’s concept of an ‘inverted quarantine,’ defined further below, and fabulous Manpreet Singh and i started kicking around how the idea applied to our lives in Delhi. This week, a few events, including a desperate effort to stay awakeContinue reading “inverted quarantines, mosquitoes & the common man in delhi”
doctor marketplace & lack of system improvement (delhi summer illness 4)
One of the first things you learn when studying health systems is how imperfect health care markets are — limited time or ability to shop around, massive information asymmetries, etc. It is interesting, then, how very marketplace-like was my experience during my most recent illness episode. It is even more interesting, i think, that thisContinue reading “doctor marketplace & lack of system improvement (delhi summer illness 4)”
emoji from docs & coming home (delhi summer illness 3)
One of the most interesting things i have noticed over this illness episode, though it’s been present throughout my three years in Delhi, is how accessible doctors are expected to be here – and how easy it is to fall into a habit of WhatsApp-ing (now officially a verb?) with your doctor (and sometimes gettingContinue reading “emoji from docs & coming home (delhi summer illness 3)”
going viral in delhi / is diagnosis a luxury (delhi summer illness 2)
In this post, i continue to try to make research and observational hay out of my own illness in Delhi (starting here). As a quick re-cap, there was a week of severe, arthritic joint pain and weakness, which started to let us slightly right when the rash and fever kicked in. Those were mercifully short-livedContinue reading “going viral in delhi / is diagnosis a luxury (delhi summer illness 2)”
my black folder (delhi summer illness 1)
Since i have lost much of the two months to an extended illness — and since my original reason for getting into public health was unsatisfactory doctor-patient relationships and inadequate assistance helping patients navigate hospital and health systems — it seems to make sense to write about observations and frustrations i had seeking treatment inContinue reading “my black folder (delhi summer illness 1)”
Heather E. Lanthorn 