A day in the field that changed my methodology

In India, more than 60% of the population use the services of private general practitioners. I had planned a study to assess GPs' knowledge of diabetes using a quantitative questionnaire based on semi-structured interviews. To pilot my questionnaire I went into a densely populated area of north Delhi and noticed how patients could choose a doctor from many on the same street.

I stepped into a private GP's clinic, introduced myself, and explained the purpose of my visit. This clinic was small. It had a desk, an old cabinet, a partition behind which the GP examined the patients, a washbasin, and some chairs and benches for patients to sit on. The paint was peeling off the walls. It was the peak of summer with temperatures reaching 44°C, but the fans were not working …