Page 77 - วารสารกรมการแพทย์แผนไทยฯ ปีที่ 5 ฉบับที่ 2

Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine Vol. 5 No. 2 May - August 2007 Ò˜ı

interviews at the same time that the introduction let- for studying the treatment methods used by spirit
ter and informed consent form were distributed. mediums. Data generated from these methods were
Among each healer and healerûs family, socio-demo- documented and used to identify distinctive charac-
graphic interviews were conducted as semi-structured teristics among the healer types, which were tested
interviews. Demographic interview questions with the on the following field trips with the healers.
healers were spread out through the course of the
Interviews on treatment methods
study, or toward the end of the study period when
the rapport with the healer was stronger. These interviews were developed mostly from
observations and unstructured interviews with the
12,15-16
Free-listing healers. This method relied heavily on the diversity of
In this study, free-lists were used in sync with healers, the large number of healers sampled, and
the profile interview to generate baseline data on multiple visits with healers in order to generate the
health conditions that the healer could treat. After topics. Distinctive treatment characteristics were iden-
listing some frequently treated diseases/illness, the tified and developed into an outline of variables spe-
healers were asked to elaborate on the symptoms, cific to each type of healer. The topics in the outline
methods of treatment, and remedies used. Free-lists were covered with each healer, so that standardized
provided a rough estimate of the healersû treatment data were collected with the healers.
capability, and helped to determine whether the heal-
18
ers were appropriate for the study. For healers who Participatory observation
were included in the study, free-lists provided a start- This technique requires the researcher to par-
ing point for the collection of data. ticipate in tasks with the community being studied
and to observe interactions among community mem-
17
Health condition logs bers and daily life. Data were collected by recording
Health calendars were used successfully by observations and asking questions. This technique
13
Scott with five ethnic groups in Miami to record was used to generate, collect, and confirm data on
the ways that families handled their health problems. treatment methods among all the types of healers.
A similar method was modified in this study to focus
Specimen collection
on the treatment behavior among the Phu Tai heal-
ers. Each time a healer was visited, retrospective treat- Plant samples were collected, some from the
ment logs were collected by asking the healers to healersû private collections, and some collected dur-
provide information on health conditions that they ing field excursions with healers. Herbarium speci-
had treated prior to our field visit. Specifying time mens were prepared from collected plant samples,
parameters, such as within the last month, week or and flowers and/or fruits were collected. Copies of
few days was necessary in order to generate informa- these herbarium specimens were identified and de-
tion. Health condition logs were used to gauge the posited at the herbarium of the Faculty of Pharma-
activity of the healers, stimulate new data on the ceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University and the
treatment practices and medicinal plants used, and Bangkok Forest Herbarium (BKF). Crude drugs were
verify the collected data. also collected and identified. The crude drug samples
were deposited at the Crude Drug Collection of the
Observation and unstructured interviews Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Observation and unstructured interviews with
Analysis of socio-demographic data
healers were conducted throughout our field study in
order to record data on treatment methods and their Data obtained from the socio-demographic in-
role in healing. This method was especially valuable terview with head of the villages, profile interviews