experimental approach
This approach can be defined as how certain studies (quantitative and qualitative) are able to be tested across majority of and in some cases all cultures (lecture 4.1). So long as anthropologists can identify numbers such as the amount of lost teeth relating to tobacco smokers, they have the ability conduct quantitative studies among large variations of persons and locations. Qualitative studies will vary more across different culture but can still be tested based on variation of discussion among patients as shown in more detail below.
Periodontitis from the patient's perspective , a qualitative study
This study by E. Karlsson, U-B Lymer, and M. Hakeberg consisted of ten patients (5 women and 5 men), ranging from 34 to 78 years of age being treated and interviewed at a specialist clinic for periodontology in Sweden (Orientation aspect of narrative) . The main goal of the interviews which lasted between 30 and 60 minutes was to figure out how each patient perceived the disease as they were encouraged to talk more about the topics within the survey (Abstract aspect of narrative).
The individuals quality of life was determined by oral health and related function, physical, and psychological status which influenced their well-being as shown (Fig. 1) below.
The individuals quality of life was determined by oral health and related function, physical, and psychological status which influenced their well-being as shown (Fig. 1) below.
Following the interviews, two main categories were recognized as (1) Perception of the disease and (2) Perception of having the disease under control as explained below (Table 1).
Shock was the common reaction for the patients once hearing they had been diagnosed with Periodontitis (Complicating action or narrative). For most of the patients, it took some time to fully understand the disease at hand and once coming to terms described feelings of declined motivation possibly as result of the fact that some saw themselves as maintaining good oral hygiene up until that point.
Patient views on causes of Periodontitis
Majority of patients claimed the disease to be mostly related to aging. i.e. "I thought only old people lost their teeth, I had no idea what it was." Also more than half the interviewees had previously been smokers and were conscious of the negative effects in relation to that. On top of that, Interviewees claimed to be more careful about their dental hygiene than other people they knew while those same people had never been diagnosed with the disease as they were.
After being Diagnosed
Once being diagnosed, patients were seen as taking a restitution approach to the interview (Evaluation aspect of narrative). They understood that the situation required a change in their health with greater commitment than previously put forth and were willing to take the correct actions. It seemed as if losing teeth was the biggest concern among the study group and majority of them described anxiety and a sense of urgency to relieve their health back to normal. One patient also described the feeling from deep cleaning as worse than implant operations he was currently undergoing.
Patients responsibility for staying healthy
This category of the study described what the patients needed to do in the future to control the disease (Result aspect of narrative). Everyone interviewee vowed to spend more time and money on their personal oral hygiene from there on out and most noticed their illness improving. Smokers were said to realize how much tobacco was damaging their health but continued to smoke only at a smaller frequency. The interviewees also realized how important it was to seek medical check up and said their medical practitioners were very supportive and motivational. One man stated that he based his entire oral hygiene on the fact he did not have any carries when in fact gum inflammation and bleeding was disregarded.
in conclusion
The overall perception was that the patients had the motivation to control the disease from there on out. To do this, they realized they needed to put forth more time, money, and dental check ups. Dental practitioners were very motivational to the patients and smokers were said to highly reconsider how tobacco would break down their gums, tissue, and teeth in the long run.
References
Karlsson, Ewelina, Magnus Hakeberg, and Ulla-Britt Lymer . "Periodontitis from the Patients Perspective, a Qualitative Study ." Int J Dent Hygiene 7: 23-30. (accessed July 30, 2014).
Image. "Mouth Cancer: People Suffer Symptoms Too Long Before Seeking Help" Huffington Post United Kingdom. November 2, 2014. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/02/11/mouth-cancer-symptoms_n_4765181.html
Tazin, Karim. "Lecture 4.1: experimental approach". http://anthropology.msu.edu/anp204-us14/schedule/week-4/ (accessed July 30, 2014).
Image. "Mouth Cancer: People Suffer Symptoms Too Long Before Seeking Help" Huffington Post United Kingdom. November 2, 2014. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/02/11/mouth-cancer-symptoms_n_4765181.html
Tazin, Karim. "Lecture 4.1: experimental approach". http://anthropology.msu.edu/anp204-us14/schedule/week-4/ (accessed July 30, 2014).