Publisher's Synopsis
This paper is the result of a joint work between Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (Dept 412 Health, Population Develoment and Nutrition) and the Institute of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health of the University of Heidelberg.;The purpose of this book is to give an overview of qualitative methods to be used in assessing Health Systems. Techniques of qualitative methods will be introduced in order to provide tools which can be used in project planning, implementation and evaluation.;It is aimed at professionals concerned with planning, monitoring or evaluating health programmes. These might be national health planners, consultants or technical advisers, medical or social science students, staff of development and training institutes, and members of district health teams.;It contains a collection of qualitative methods/techniques suited to describe and analyse: the complex interpersonal relationship between health services and their users; the social context of individuals and groups; the perceived quality of services; the interaction within the health team; the weakness or strength in the interaction between service and users.;However, this book is not a book on methodologies or a ccontribution to a theoretical discussion, but a handbook for practical use in assessing Health Systems. The aim of this book is not to contribute to an abstract discussion on the methodology of qualitative research, or to give a complete overview of qualitative methods, but rather to help define problems, learn about techniques and find solutions.;The book contains a collection of experiences which can give ideas and inspire others to try to use a qualitative approach in their work.;From the vast variety of methods and techniques the following were chosen: interview techniques (chapter 1), observation techniques (chapter 2), projective/interactive techniques (chapter 3). Each technique is briefly explained in general and followed by an example of its use within the health field.;The main criteria for choice were qualitative methods which have proved to be useful in assessing health or health service-related problems, feasible within a reasonable time. The collection of techniques is far from being exhaustive. This book should be seen as a starting point for an individual collection rather than as a comprehensive piece of work.
