Qualitative Methods In Health Research Need Of Hour: Experts At AIIMS-Bhubaneswar Workshop

Bhubaneswar: Understanding human behaviour towards health and why they behave in a certain way, which has an impact on their health is much more important than medicine.

In COVID pandemic situation taking perspectives of the people, their emotions, opinions and their reasons for making choices related to their health is very very crucial, said Dr Pradeep Deshmukh, Dean (Research) & Professor (Head) Department of Community Medicine at AIIMS, Nagpur.

Speaking at a workshop organised by Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, AIIMS-Bhubaneswar on “Qualitative Methods in Health Research” here on Friday, Dr. Deshmukh stressed on qualitative research more than quantitative research.

AIIMS Bhubaneswar Director Dr. Gitanjali Batmanabane inaugurated the two-day workshop. During her inaugural address Dr. Batmanabane emphasised the importance of qualitative research and stressed to utilise it not only for health but also in medical education.

Dr. Amol Dongre, Head, Department of Extension Programmes, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat attended the workshop as resource faculty. He said qualitative research can be utilised to bring about positive changes in health behaviour to improve health of the people.

Faculty members, residents and PhD scholars from AIIMS Bhubaneswar as well as from SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, KIIMS, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, VSS Medical College and Hospital, Burla and neighbouring states participated in the workshop.

Among others, AIIMS Bhubaneswar Dean (Academics), Prof D Hota, Professor and head Dept. of Community Medicine AIIMS Bhubaneswar Dr. Sonu H Subba participated in the workshop.