In-situ at a distance? challenges and opportunities for health and place research methods in a post-COVID-19 world. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shareck, Martine; Alexander, Stephanie; Glenn, Nicole M.
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 69(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Go-along -- Equity -- Marginalisation -- Participation -- Qualitative; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102572
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: In-situ methodologies, including go-along and photo-elicited interviews, are ideal for harnessing people's lived experiences of place and their meanings for health and health equity. Their immersive nature means that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their use. Physical distancing measures combined to anxiety over the sharing of physical space have created ethical and practical challenges to the conduct of in-person in-situ methodologies. However, in-situ methodologies are precisely needed to gain deeper understandings of people's changing relationships to place post-COVID-19. In this commentary we discuss emerging challenges, highlight questions researchers should ask before engaging in these methods in the future, and explore adaptations and alternatives to traditional in-person in-situ methodologies. Highlights: In-situ methods allow studying how lived experiences of place relate to health. In-situ methods are immersive, participatory and anti-oppressive. COVID-19 has created ethical and practical challenges for in-situ methods. Re-imagining in-situ methods is essential for post-COVID-19 health equity research. Virtual go-along and photo-elicited interviews are promising adaptations.