Ethnographic studies can help make sense of patients' and clinicians' worlds

doi:10.1136/bmj.321.7273.0/d

Ethnographic studies can help make sense of patients' and clinicians' worlds

The above study by The et al is an example of an ethnographic study, and on p 1400 Savage explains what ethnographic studiescan contribute to health care. Though there is no standard definition,the defining feature is the use of an observer who observes anactivity and takes part in it and may use a variety of qualitativeand quantitative methods while doing the study. It focuses onthe meanings of individuals' actions, rather than their quantification.In health care ethnographic research has been used to explorepatients' views on the experience of illness, and is increasinglybeing used to understand the way health care is organised andthe way professional knowledge isused.