I have recieved advice from several sources that it is a really good idea to journal while writing a thesis, and I will. But never being one to do things by halves, rather than stick to one, I am experimenting... with three. I have an academic journal, a personal journal, and now journal number three- this web journal.
The Topic
The Medical Mission: An examination of the role of short-term, expatriate medical profesionals in Honduran health care.
The Idea
I spent a couple of years working in medical missions and during that time I became increasingly aware of, and uncomfortable with some of aspects of Medical Missions. While arguably most volunteers come with a strong desire to help, and the best of motivations I began to question the use of resources, the power relations and ongoing impacts of these missions. The papers I took for a Post-Graduate Diploma in Development Studies has cemented those questions in my mind. So, the diploma has become a Masters degree and I am now set to explore the topic formally, in a master's thesis (dissertation).
The Background
Medical Missions or Brigades, as they are termed in Honduras, are common phenomena in developing countries around the world. Honduras has seen an influx of these teams in recent years, related in part to both the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch in the late 90's, and to recent pro-market economic and health care reform. However there appears to be little in the way of research or critical literature addressing the particular role and effects of short term expatriate medical teams in developing nations. This research project will investigate the role of these teams and the impact they have on health care provision in Honduras.
The Method
As will be obvious by now, this research project will involve travel to Honduras. I plan to spend about two months doing field work there, from late 2004- early 2005, dependent on funding. The research methodology itself will probably involve "participant observation" of teams on location and interviews with team participants, local health care providers and others.
I got my ethics approval today. Well, actually I got a letter acknowledging my research is "low risk" and full ethics approval won't be necessary. Which is even better! That's one headache I don't need to worry about now. Except they expect me to get good travel insurance. Which is a good thing. Except I still don't have the money. But I have the enrolment sorted, the prosposal drafted and now the ethics sorted. It's a good start!
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