What struck me most about Brian's presentation was the IDEO-esque way the team engaged the community stakeholders and users to help gather user requirements, brainstorm and prototype solutions for CHWs. This model of user-centric design continues to infiltrate its way into technology-based development projects and it always surprises me that it has taken so long for us to understand the importance of involving the user in the design of the solution or intervention.
While "user vision" and ethnographic research are all the rage at the moment it does seem kind of ridiculous that we are just figuring out the value in engaging users particularly in the creation of solutions for the developing world. Sometimes we are so smart we are stupid.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Sonesh & Aravind
I've been lucky to have spoken to Sonesh about his work at Aravind a few times before as well as others who have worked at Aravind so while his presentation was great I had heard most of the information before.
As always, Aravind continues to amaze me and proves to be an incredible case to learn from and to try and better understand. The Aravind story and model highlight a number of critical lessons about health technology projects in the developing world and more about these particular types of projects in India. What always strikes me the most is how well the subsidization model works for Aravind while it may be seen as "classist" or exclusionary in other regions.
I do wonder how many different regions would welcome such a model (having two clinics for different socioeconomic classes such that one subsidizes the other) and how to best test or measure for that. I haven't come across any social science publications that analyze this type of care in depth although I'm sure more will begin to crop up as ethnograpy/anthropology etc become more mainstream in ICTD as they have begun to become over the past few years.
As always, Aravind continues to amaze me and proves to be an incredible case to learn from and to try and better understand. The Aravind story and model highlight a number of critical lessons about health technology projects in the developing world and more about these particular types of projects in India. What always strikes me the most is how well the subsidization model works for Aravind while it may be seen as "classist" or exclusionary in other regions.
I do wonder how many different regions would welcome such a model (having two clinics for different socioeconomic classes such that one subsidizes the other) and how to best test or measure for that. I haven't come across any social science publications that analyze this type of care in depth although I'm sure more will begin to crop up as ethnograpy/anthropology etc become more mainstream in ICTD as they have begun to become over the past few years.
Final DRCA Class
I have been terrible about keeping up with my blogs so I'm trying to catch up now and am starting with the last class and working my way back.
In terms of projects I'm brainstorming about or would be interested in working on in the future, I guess I'm in a bit of a different situation as I'll be graduating next week and am off to work on a project that falls into the category of "dream project." I've been working with the GSMA Development Fund for about 7 months now trying to help them understand the opportunities within mobile health (mHealth) and ways in which they can accelerate the market for mHealth services from a social venture perspective.
I just found out that I'll be staying on until April to develop a proposal for (and hopefully launch) a full-blown mHealth program and helping to lead the GSMA in its strategy around mHealth. This of course may completely crash and burn but my hope is that it will allow me to continue exploring this area and put all my debt, excuse me education, to some good use.
In terms of projects I'm brainstorming about or would be interested in working on in the future, I guess I'm in a bit of a different situation as I'll be graduating next week and am off to work on a project that falls into the category of "dream project." I've been working with the GSMA Development Fund for about 7 months now trying to help them understand the opportunities within mobile health (mHealth) and ways in which they can accelerate the market for mHealth services from a social venture perspective.
I just found out that I'll be staying on until April to develop a proposal for (and hopefully launch) a full-blown mHealth program and helping to lead the GSMA in its strategy around mHealth. This of course may completely crash and burn but my hope is that it will allow me to continue exploring this area and put all my debt, excuse me education, to some good use.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
