Planning emergency medical services for children in Bolivia: part 1-the use of rapid assessment procedures.
OBJECTIVE
To describe an expedited process for collecting social and cultural data before program planning to develop emergency medical services for children in La Paz, Bolivia. The overall goal was to understand the relevant issues from the point of view of those most affected.


METHODS
An interdisciplinary collaborative research team used several qualitative data collection tools in gathering and interpreting data.


RESULTS
Information was collected from a wide variety of stakeholders that will allow for planning of programs that are Bolivian-driven, culturally appropriate, and socially feasible.


CONCLUSIONS
By adhering to a systematic process of team building and data gathering from a variety of sources using a mix of methods, culturally appropriate information can be integrated into program planning.
Chin
Nancy P
NP
Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Division of Public Health Practice, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
Goepp
Julius G
JG
Malia
Timothy
T
Poordabbagh
Armin
A
D000328:Adult; D001838:Bolivia; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010372:Pediatrics; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors