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Table 2 Example of completed structured observation

From: Using qualitative mixed methods to study small health care organizations while maximising trustworthiness and authenticity

 

TASKS

TIME 9.15-10.15 am

Brief contacts

Administration

Supplies

Equipment/treatment room

Patient contact

Informal chat with research assistant

10

Receptionist chat about problem with another staff member

Opening mail, sorting for GPs, updating records on computer

Drug rep arrives to do a free check on blood pressure monitor

Steriliser beeping to signal end of cleaning cycle. She attends to it

Checked blood pressure on elderly patient

Shows me internal mail system

20

Receptionist inquiry about arrival time of another nurse

Continues to open mail

Conversation with drug rep about next visit

  

Talks about other nurse’s involvement in multi-site collaborative care program

30

GP checks his pigeon hole; inquires about our project

Continues to open mail

  

Immunization of 8-week old baby

Chat about immunization and paperwork for recall system. Keeping track of lapsed immunizations. Her role as educator for parents about immunizations

40

Introduces GP to me

Takes patient file to GP. Enters data onto computer to be added to immunization register

    

50

GP ducks in. Chat to pathology courier

Enters data on immunization onto computer

  

Immunization of 8-week old baby

 

60

   

Clears plastic dishes for immunization and puts them away

Adult male of penicillin injection. 2 years old for asthma medication. Education of mother on how to use spacer device

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