Field Work Update 7.21.13

Valuable lesson learned: best turnout is on weekends. We got 2 surveys on Tuesday, 3 on Thursday, and then 9 on Saturday. There was a mix up about surveying at Incarnation Church today, so we didn't get any, but it's clear that this is the way we need to go as we continue surveying in the community. Here's some other topics that have come up:

• How to survey a participant. Pairs, or alone? We tried out both this week during training. Working in pairs (one person asks the questions, another writes down the answers) is a real confidence booster, and I think allows better communication between the two people talking. You don't have to worry about finding the right code, you can just talk. However, it's not time-efficient, and adding a third person's impressions can exacerbate existing language difficulties. In the end, we decided it was best for the same person to ask the questions and code the answers.
• Question 115. This question asks how the respondent chose a doctor (ex. cost, insurance coverage, did they speak Spanish?). No one seems to understand the question- I think most people either go to the ER, or never see a doctor. I guess this is more for my notes than anyone else's edification, but this question should be thrown out.
• Use of UVA. So... not that many people go to UVA. That means that, in a vast majority of cases, half of our survey isn't even being answered. Without a doubt, we're going to have to do a Phase 2 of surveys in a population that uses heath services. Right now, we're thinking UVA and the Charlottesville Free Clinic- I'm pretty sure this means IRB re-submission. I don't know what's the best way to sample in UVA... Do we follow translation services? Or do we post up in waiting rooms and approach patients in Spanish? The first seems more efficient, but is a biased sample (especially when we ask about experiences with translation services).
• Church of the Incarnation. Still not 100% sure what the mix up was today, but here's what we're doing: Vianca is going to get in touch with Fanny (from Incarnation), and forward a blurb about the project that can be shown to the priest. Vianca will handle the announcement next Sunday, and we should be in place to interview people around 3 pm after services.