Page 31 - AYUR

V ALIDA TION & EXPER T OPINIONS
The initial observations, assumptions, research and insights were
cross-checked through a set of interviews with ISM practitioners
and administrative staff from IAIM Healthcare Centre. A question-
naire was used in the interviews to check the validity of the key
insights in the design proposal, while at the same time, look into the
viability of the concept at its early stages.
Through the open-ended discussions prompted by the question-
naire, it was seen that certain areas of the proposal and the
proposed concept could be given more focus, or even changed to fit
the context better.
Some of the highlighted points, organised into three themes, are as
follows:
PROCESS
Medical Health Units
Medical camps play a huge role in the building of trust in ISM.
The hospital had been considering the potential for a
modular mobile health unit, as this would help reach out to a
wider audience both in rural and urban spaces.
There is a common belief that free healthcare is the only way
to get people to attend a health session.
Healthcare on wheels would not have a credible presence in
urban India. This means that trust is associated with the
image presented by a Mobile Health Unit, and so, branding
becomes essential to ensuring a trustworthy image.
Documentation
Patient data and confidentiality must be dealt with care if a
live document were to be created.
Hospitals maintain digital documents of patient conditions
and experiences which are used for research work in ISM.
Often, patients with similar illnesses are brought together to
share their experiences, and this builds a sense of certainty
and mutual support between them.
Context
The national level drive for AYUSH, despite being slow in its
implementation is definitely a positive move towards
integrative medicine. This aspect can be used in building
support for ISM in the long run.