Ethnographic research in healthcare – patients and service users as participants

Abstract

Purpose

This discussion paper provides an introduction and overview of Ethnography as a qualitative research methodology and outlines its usefulness in understanding the experiences of patients and service users during their healthcare journey. Ethnographic research provides an insight into the group being studied. In this paper that author suggests that ethnography can provide an insight into the behaviours, thoughts and feelings of a patient group.

Methods

Research methods used in ethnographic research have been outlined and discussed along with some of the possible methodological and ethical issues that might occur when carrying out an ethnographic study with a group of patients.

Results

This paper discusses some of the potential results of an ethnographic study with patients and how ethnographic research can be used to study the experiences of patients.

Conclusion

the author draws together some lessons that can be learnt and some possible applications of ethnographic research in healthcare settings with patients. Implications for rehabilitation are also proposed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Ethnography is a simple and effective qualitative research methodology for studying groups of people with a common enterprise or experience, ethnography studies the culture, behaviours and norms of the group.

• Ethnography is a useful research methodology to understand the experiences of patients and service users during their healthcare journey. It can provide information about what it is like to have a particular medical condition or diagnosis and the norms and behaviours of patients with this condition. Ethnographic data allows the patient’s voice to be heard. Data from ethnographic studies of patient groups can be used for service improvement within health and social care.

Keywords:

• Ethnography
• health
• observation
• qualitative research
• patients

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).