Understanding our patients. An anthropological approach.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an accurate description of the views of a suburban population on health, disease and its causes and the provision of medical and other forms of care. A specific purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the relevance of this research methodology and its similarity to general practice.

METHOD

An ethnographic study. A discrete Australian coastal suburb with a broad socio-demographic mix.

RESULTS

The health beliefs of the population and their views on the delivery of care are briefly summarised. A fuller report is available from the General Practice Evaluation Program--Grant No. 275.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of ethnographic methods of Australian suburbia provides new, valid and reliable information which is needed if the health messages and care provided to people are to be relevant.