ANTHMETHGRP1-24-25-CHEN-WANG

[Last modified: December, 3 2024 04:15 PM]

The case I chose is a study on midwives who collect data on HIV-positive pregnant women. I think the issues involved in this study are high-risk research. The ethical issues involved are mainly closely related to the data of HIV-positive patients, and they are pregnant women, which may involve data information of two generations of mothers and children. So it needs to be treated with caution.
First, it is necessary to ensure that information related to data is handled very carefully during the research process, especially in the form of interviews, and avoid talking about specific cases, patient information and specific data. It is necessary to clearly state the issues that may be involved in the research in the ethics form, and whether sensitive data will be avoided. List the situations where specific case information may appear and try to avoid them. Therefore, it is recommended that this part of the content be reviewed by the ethics agency.
Second, in the process of data collection, relevant managers may be visited. They are the decision-makers of the main data collection type and have a say in data collection. However, in the actual operation process, communication with the subjects may not be involved, so there may be power flow in this, and relevant issues should be paid attention to during the visit.

In addition, although HIV-positive pregnant women are not directly studied in this case, they are also in a vulnerable group. So it is necessary to pay attention to the relevant sensitivity. As with the first point, this issue must be treated sensitively.
Also, since the researcher also works in this hospital, there may be problems such as knowing internal information or involving relationships during the research process, so the power issues involved in this part may need to be clarified in the ethical explanation.

In short, this case requires strict and careful review by the ethics review agency and requires researchers to be cautious about vulnerable groups in the research, research data, and sensitive information that may be involved. Since I think this case is a high-risk ethical case, the student needs to constantly communicate with her supervisor about the details of the research, possible risk factors, how to avoid them, and how to apply for the consent of the ethics review agency.

[Last modified: November, 27 2024 09:41 PM]

Using Forum Theatre as an ethnographic tool presents both opportunities and limitations. First, in scenario simulations, everyone in the forum can actively participate at any time, altering the outcome of the performance. This allows for the recreation of real-life situations, where participants and observers can share their feelings and reflections, helping to explore how different scenarios impact individuals.

Second, the diverse perspectives of participants enable a multi-angled analysis of issues. This broader range of viewpoints fosters deeper understanding and encourages innovative approaches to problem-solving.

Finally, when considering solutions, the group’s diversity—comprising individuals from different countries and cultural backgrounds—offers a wealth of alternative strategies. By experimenting with these diverse solutions, we can analyze which approaches are most effective.

However, this approach also has its limitations. One challenge is that the process can sometimes reach an impasse, where no suitable solutions emerge, resulting in stagnation. Not every scenario simulation leads to effective outcomes. For example, during a classroom exercise, we simulated a conflict between a customer and a barista. Several proposed solutions, such as having other customers pay for the order, seemed to resolve the immediate conflict. However, these resolutions were specific to the simulated scenario and unlikely to be broadly applicable in real-life situations, making it difficult to determine their overall effectiveness.

Another limitation is the need for participants to empathize with the roles they are portraying. For instance, if the research focuses on the relationship between doctors and patients, participants without a medical background may struggle to accurately represent or understand a doctor’s perspective. This raises concerns about whether the results and solutions derived from such simulations truly reflect real-world dynamics and are applicable to actual situations. Therefore, when considering this method for ethnographic research, it is important to assess the topic carefully and decide whether this approach aligns with the study’s objectives.

As an ethnographic research method, I believe Forum Theatre can be particularly useful in policy development and improvement. By involving local stakeholders or relevant professionals in the forum, it can generate more effective insights, feedback, and intervention strategies. Additionally, this approach encourages us to consider how the same issue can be understood and addressed differently across regions, cultures, social classes, and even individuals. It broadens our perspective and fosters a more comprehensive understanding of complex problems.

[Last modified: November, 18 2024 04:00 PM]

The Body in a Gym Environment

I recently joined a gym close to my apartment. This gym is large, with facilities for swimming, working out, and even co-working. What struck me most was the atmosphere among the gym-goers—they appeared both confident and solitary.

Firstly, people in this gym exude confidence, regardless of their body type. Their positive energy is reflected in their posture—almost no one slouches. Most gym exercises require a straight back and tightened shoulder blades to prevent injuries to the neck and lower back. Over time, this practice fosters a habit of maintaining an upright posture, which not only conveys confidence but also enhances openness in body language.

The gym is surrounded by mirrors, allowing everyone to observe their posture and form at any moment. This helps ensure accuracy during workouts and serves as a way to assess progress. Personally, I always check the mirrors before and after exercising to see any changes. Observing more toned muscles and defined lines gives me a sense of accomplishment, and walking out of the gym, I feel more confident and self-assured.

Interestingly, the gym environment continuously inspires motivation. There are always people with admirable physiques to aspire to, pushing me to work harder. Another surprising observation is the presence of many elderly gym-goers. I had assumed older adults might avoid gym-based exercises due to concerns about fragile bones. However, seeing them actively participating shattered this stereotype. Their determination creates an inspiring atmosphere, reinforcing the idea that age is no excuse to stop moving.

Despite the confidence and motivation, the gym carries a solitary vibe. Most people follow their own training plans, as personal training sessions are expensive. This sense of purpose may explain their confident demeanor. Nearly everyone wears headphones, immersed in their own world, rarely engaging with others. This creates an invisible boundary around each individual—a “safe zone” where interactions seem intrusive. Attempting to initiate conversation often feels like breaking into someone’s personal space.

The gym environment offers a unique mix: it boosts confidence through physical transformation and challenges preconceived notions about health and aging. However, its solitary nature also highlights the growing social distance in a space where individuals focus primarily on themselves.

 

[Last modified: November, 8 2024 04:37 PM]

My pilot research project aims to understand why elderly people are often reluctant to go to the hospital. While I believe I don’t hold any particular political assumptions or orientations, I recognize that policy-related issues play a significant role in this topic. For example, some elderly people lack health insurance, which leads them to avoid going to the hospital until their pain becomes unbearable. In many countries, most elderly people’s insurance is provided by the government, meaning their access to healthcare can depend heavily on each country’s specific policies and available resources.

Another issue is population size, particularly in countries with large populations. In these places, medical resources are often stretched thin, so doctors may not have enough time to give each patient the attention they need. This can result in elderly patients feeling that their emotional needs are overlooked, which can be especially important for their overall well-being. Furthermore, many people assume that mild pain and illness are natural parts of aging, leading to a general undervaluing of healthcare for elderly people, even though it’s critically important. When elderly people go to the hospital, they may experience rushed or impersonal care and face inconvenient infrastructure, making the visit uncomfortable or even discouraging. If they encounter a negative experience, they may be hesitant to return for future care.

Reproductive policies in these densely populated countries may also contribute to this issue, as such policies shape the population structure and the distribution of healthcare resources.

Economic policies are another significant factor. In countries with high living standards, young people often face high costs of living and work pressures, making it challenging for them to take time off work to accompany elderly family members to the hospital. This pressure to work hard just to maintain a basic standard of living can lead some elderly individuals, who may feel anxious about going to the hospital alone, to delay necessary treatment. This delay can sometimes mean they miss the best time for effective care, which can worsen their health in the long run.

In conclusion, while this topic doesn’t stem from a strictly political perspective, many reasons behind elderly people’s reluctance to seek hospital care are closely linked to policies on healthcare, population, and economic structure. I believe this topic isn’t entirely separate from politics; rather, political factors are often embedded within policy impacts. To fully understand elderly people’s willingness to seek hospital care, it’s essential to look at the connections between their decisions and the broader policy environment from an interdisciplinary perspective.

[Last modified: October, 27 2024 05:33 PM]

During this observation exercise, I visited Tavistock Square Garden. I chose this location because I’ve noticed that parks in the UK often have a serene, peaceful, and relaxed atmosphere, so I was pleased to have this opportunity to observe such a setting more closely.

Armed with my iPad, I entered the small, rectangular park. At its center stands a statue of Gandhi, and from this point, footpaths extend toward each of the four gates. The surrounding streets are main roads, with traffic noise from either side. As I sat down, I heard a loud siren in the distance, which was slightly annoying, but people in the park didn’t seem bothered by it.

Curious about what contributes to the sense of peace in the park, I chose a bench near the statue. To my left sat a father and his daughter. The father was focused on his phone, and his daughter was sitting quietly, eating a hamburger. They kept a small distance between them, but after a while, the father put down his phone and started talking to her. She immediately looked happier and more engaged.

On the next bench was a couple sitting with their arms linked, sometimes looking up at the sky and watching the leaves fall, talking quietly. A bit further down, three friends were having an enthusiastic conversation, while a few tourists sat down with their luggage and let out a sigh of relief. Many people were sitting alone—some were eating lunch, reading, or just relaxing.

I realized that besides benches, the park offers little in the way of facilities. There are no exercise areas, and the footpaths, covered in fallen leaves, don’t seem suited for running. It seemed that many people had come here just to find a place of quiet respite amid the urban noise. I wondered if the simplicity of this park—its lack of complex facilities—actually made it an ideal place for people to relax and unwind.

[Last modified: October, 21 2024 03:43 PM]

In analyzing my positionality and reflexivity for the research on “Why don’t elderly people want to go to hospital?” I realize that my personal and professional background affects how I think about the topic. Since I worked with a medical testing company, I tend to believe that medical tests are helpful and necessary for most people. However, I am beginning to see that some tests might not be useful or needed, and sometimes doctors don’t even know how to use the results properly. This has made me question my initial belief that medical intervention is always good for everyone.

I also view Western medicine as scientific and effective, but I now recognize that this belief might limit my understanding of other ways people manage their health. There could be different methods or treatments, outside of hospitals, that elderly people rely on. I don’t know much about these alternatives, but they could be just as important as hospital care.

Another bias I have is that I focus a lot on the early stages of disease and diagnosis. Because of this, I might overlook other important reasons why elderly people avoid hospitals. For example, they might avoid hospitals not because they don’t want to be diagnosed, but because they don’t trust doctors, have had bad experiences, or face cultural or financial barriers. By only focusing on early diagnosis, I risk missing out on the full picture of their healthcare experiences.

Reflexivity in my research means being open to changing my views. I need to consider that elderly people might prefer to manage their health in ways that don’t involve hospitals, and this might work well for them. I also need to build trust with them, listen to their reasons, and adapt my approach based on their experiences. Lastly, I must be aware of the bigger social and economic issues they face, like fear of hospital costs or negative past experiences with healthcare, which might influence their decisions.

By reflecting on my background and assumptions, I hope to keep an open mind and better understand the complex reasons elderly people avoid hospitals.

[Last modified: October, 13 2024 09:05 PM]

My research topic focuses on why the elderly are reluctant to go to the hospital. The elderly are mainly defined as people over 60 years old. Due to their aging, this group of people may have more health problems, especially many people may suffer from chronic diseases and need regular physical examinations or reexaminations. However, due to various factors, patients may be reluctant to go. This article mainly explores the social, infrastructure, and family environment factors that make the elderly reluctant to go to the hospital.

This observation was conducted in the UCL hospital. In the ward building, six or seven elderly people were waiting quietly at the reception desk, and only one was waiting with his son. About 10 minutes later, a nurse came to guide an elderly person into the ward area. This part of the area must be entered by appointment. The overall environment is clean and quiet, and the one-to-one guidance of the reception staff looks orderly.

There are many more people in the outpatient department of the main building of the hospital. There are no fixed chairs, only movable single chairs. However, many elderly people who come alone are still seen, and some elderly people are even physically inconvenienced and come alone in wheelchairs. Regarding the question of why younger family members did not accompany them, I interviewed a local British classmate, who said: It may be that many young people find it difficult to take leave because they need to accompany their family members to see a doctor, and they will be deducted from their wages or lose their jobs.

At the outpatient reception, people waiting for inquiries are queuing up, and there is no one to guide them clearly. The signs on each floor do not look clear to me, who is visiting the hospital for the first time. The signs do not include directions, and there are no clear signs. This may be difficult for the elderly, who can only find their destination by constantly asking the staff. But the staff is also relatively rare. So whether asking works remains to be verified.

In addition, I searched “hate hospitals” on TikTok and saw many people complaining about hospitals, focusing on the poor attitude of doctors and nurses, fearing that they will get bad results from the examination, and disliking the environment of the hospital. But most of the posters are young people, because the elderly rarely complain about these problems online. So it may be a good way to understand the elderly’s reluctance to go to the hospital through GP or the community.

[Last modified: October, 5 2024 05:48 PM]

Title: “Medical Choices of Early Cancer Patients in the Middle Class: A Socio-Cultural Exploration of Symptomatic Patients Reluctant to Seek Care”

Research Questions: Why do early-stage cancer patients in the middle class (who are symptomatic) choose not to seek medical treatment? What socio-cultural factors influence their healthcare decisions?

Background:
Early detection and timely treatment of cancer are crucial for improving survival rates. However, an increasing number of middle-class patients with early-stage cancer choose not to seek hospital treatment even when they develop symptoms. This phenomenon not only affects their health outcomes but also reflects broader societal and cultural attitudes. This study aims to delve deeper into the reasons behind this trend.

Research Methods:
This study will employ qualitative anthropological methods, including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and case studies, to gain insights into the decision-making processes of middle-class early-stage cancer patients (symptomatic).

1. Participant Observation:
   Conduct observations at community health centers, oncology support groups, and alternative therapy clinics, documenting patient interactions and decision-making processes, with a focus on their attitudes toward hospital care. Understand their living environment, family structure, daily work and life habits, and medical habits, and combine interviews to understand the changes in the surrounding environment after illness.
2. In-Depth Interviews:
   Select 30 eligible middle-class early-stage cancer patients (symptomatic) for interviews. The interviews will explore their attitudes toward hospital care, motivations, concerns, health beliefs, social support, economic factors, perceptions of cancer, and trust in the healthcare system. The interview subjects can be selected around a certain middle-class community. Patients can be selected from the NHS, all of whom have medical insurance.
3. Case Studies:
   Conduct in-depth analyses of several typical cases to explore how these patients respond to symptoms, particularly focusing on interactions with family, friends, healthcare providers, and community support systems, as well as their psychological responses and coping strategies.

Potential findings

• Unaccompanied at home to go to the hospital, going to the doctor alone will be lonely.
• Maybe they had a bad experience with the doctor and don’t want to relive it.
• The symptoms are relatively small, and the long-term coexistence does not attract attention, and it is believed that strengthening exercise can return to normal.
• There is a fear of cancer, both worried and afraid of finding bad results.
• These people don’t know enough about the disease to distinguish between everyday problems and early symptoms of cancer.

[Last modified: October, 1 2024 05:14 PM]

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