VIDUR MADHAV
Early Directions
Some broad aspects of cultural and practical interferences in the healthcare system in the country. These issues were a result of research papers, interviews and observations. Each issue is categorized into a macro category so that it could be targeted and further researched upon as a deeper dive.
Literacy vs HealthCare:
1. The Patients can’t read English
Medicines are never written in a cultural language, but standardized across the country in English.
2. Wayfinding signages
People travel to the closest town for hospital treatment and cannot understand the signages
Within a country of 1625 different languages, it has been constantly difficult for the industry to match language standards. Most communications within this industry are standardized and people of multiple ethnic groups find it difficult to navigate through different sub sections of this system.
Infrastructure vs HealthCare:
3. Ambulances on weak road infrastructure
Small villages lack infrastructure for proper ambulances to operate.
4. Lack of Manpower to shift the patient from the bed – wheelchair - toilet
Around 4 people required to pick up an adult patient both at the hospital and then during home recovery
Infrastructure was a major factor in the system which is constantly challenged at all levels within the system. Due to multiple factors which force poor infrastructure within specific regions, the micro management at these location suffers multiple consequences. Lack of lifts, electricity issues and narrow corridors in large scale hospitals make the everyday work of medical staff difficult and stressful.
Poverty vs HealthCare:
5. Collectivistic society: Families come to the hospital
3-4 people come to the town hospital from the village and cannot afford accommodation. They live in the lobby.
6. Doctors don’t want to work in rural places
All doctors are city trained. It is seen as a downgrade of their skill. They want to work in a better environment.
All the three macro categories were researched upon and people were interviewed based on the research. More in-depth knowledge of the systems was created to understand to difference between the psychological problems from the physical problems. The cultural interventions were present in the both forms; as beliefs and as physical entities.
Further research on these can be found on the interviews page.