I know you have been waiting with baited breath to learn whether we were able to secure the 100 participants for the research that was our goal. Wait no longer-we did! I think we all found it an interesting experience and not that different from our work at the Boston Living Center, Lynda, other than patients saw us prior to and after seeing their health care providers. We have again taken pictures of signs and people (with their permission) that we thought you might find of interest. Even the Zulu speakers among the research participants knew a little English, so that once the study has been explained to them in Zulu, and informed consent obtained, we were able to be of help. Failing that, Innocent and Busi were avaiable in the two data collection sites. Fortunately these sites were in the same hospital so we were able to scurry back and forth when additional resources of any sort were needed.
After thanking the managers for allowing us to collect data, we took one last picture of the S.A. research team ( at least most of us) then Busi drove back so that we could see some of the informal housing settlements. There are far fewer of these than I've seem on previous visits. The government's efforts to replace these tin roofed dwellings with something a bit more substantial is evident in the more secure houses.
Thereafter, the week-end was spent getting to know the Durban environment a bit better- sometimes the 4 of us and someimes just the girls. Arrangements continue to be adjusted and I needed to work on a two hour lecture which I will be delivering this next week, as well as some one hour lectures. "The girls" will each be giving a lecture as well. It should be interesting. More about the weekend shortly. Lastly, we so appreciate your comments and good cheer. Thank you to all and especially, President Bellack, Provost Johnson, and Prof. Lynda. Inge
Sounds like a great trip! You all are packing your time with lots of interesting activities. I listened to my Invictus CD today and thought of you all. Safe and happy travels. Thanks for representing the IHP with our friends in SA!
ReplyDelete100!! I knew you could do it and I am sure the interaction with the participants was an interesting day for them as well. Certainly an unintended effect of any research is that the participants think about how they are doing and feeling when we ask questions about their well being. It them may stimulate them asking more questions with their provider interactions to find ways to optimize their health. Well done. I can't wait to hear how our new nursing colleagues (our students)enjoy teaching. Great work!! Lynda
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to receive your comments and encouragement. Tomorrow we go to visit some clinics up north so we may be out of contact. We're just not sure about the internet in that area. We come back on Friday afternoon and then leave at 6:45 for two days on safari. Tomorrow we leave at 5:30 AM. The past two days it was at 6:30. We've had a marvelous driver whose mother was the first tuberculosis nurse in the area. He's involved in a food bank and that may be a site for us to visit in the future. For now, we're booked for the rest of our trip. The girls will blog about yesterday's and todays' adventures. Thank you again for your support, Inge
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