Qualitative fieldwork in medical contexts: Confessions of a neophyte researcher

Sanders, P., Wadey, R., Day, M. C. and Winter, S. (2017) Qualitative fieldwork in medical contexts: Confessions of a neophyte researcher. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. pp. 1-13. ISSN 2159-676X

[thumbnail of This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health on 19 July 2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2159676X.2017.1351390] Text (This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health on 19 July 2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2159676X.2017.1351390)
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Abstract

Immersive fieldwork can facilitate an understanding of the richness, complexity, and multifaceted relationships within medical environments, and is increasingly being used to explore sensitive topics within healthcare. However, few published studies have made use of immersive methods within hospitals or clinics, and there is a lack of guidance for those seeking to conduct immersive research within medical spaces. In this confessional tale, the first author, a neophyte qualitative researcher with no medical training, reflects upon her experiences during the first five months integrating into an amputee rehabilitation clinic prior to a period of immersive fieldwork. Drawing on 195 hours of observation and the author’s reflexive journal (totaling more than 20,000 words), alongside discussions with the supervisory team, four main challenges are discussed: finding a role, navigating waiting spaces, encountering the unfamiliar, and ethics in the boardroom and in the field. Specific recommendations for novice researchers entering medical environments include: preparing to encounter those who do not share their beliefs, identifying a safe environment in which they can share their emotions, and engaging in reflective practice to explore the impact their (in)experience and willingness to embrace opportunities for learning may have within their own research context.

Publication Type: Articles
Uncontrolled Keywords: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, Health(social science), Social Psychology
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
R Medicine > R Medicine (General) > R735 Medical education. Medical schools. Research
Divisions: Research Entities > CCASES
Academic Areas > Institute of Sport > Area > Exercise Physiology
Depositing User: Melissa Day
Date Deposited: 17 Oct 2017 14:54
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2019 01:10
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/3059

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