First Bolivian Science Shop thesis: Students’ comments on the restitution of results
Text & photos: CEADES Foundation – Bolivia
After the submission of three Public Health Master’s theses that aimed to meet demands of people affected by Chagas disease, we proceeded to the restitution of the results. As it has been already shared at this webpage, the restitution reached: The Association of Chagas’ Patients “Corazones Unidos”, the general public of the endemic region of Cochabamba (Bolivia) —through a TV broadcasting to an estimated audience of 35.000 people—; the medical residents and personnel at the Punata regional hospital “Manuel Ascensio Villaroel”; and several groups of students in health sciences at Universidad Mayor de San Simon (UMSS), Cochabamba’s public university.
Here are some of the recorded reactions of the students that attended those restitution sessions: “What I found very interesting is that, with the methodology of “Science Shop”, you communicate the results and you can solve problems of the people. Doing this kind of research, close to the community, knowing that you will share the results of the research, is very attractive and positive for us during our nursing career.” (Giovanna Mamani, member of the Scientific Society of nursing students, UMSS).
“Although the study has taken place in Punata, it is very important for all of us who will perform research in the future to know the results too; because it is not just about giving results to the target population, but also to other researchers, for them to know what has been done, how it has been done, and what more can be done.” (Eddy Cossio, member of scientific society of medical students, UMSS).
“Science and Society…. These words call my attention and raise a lot of questions. I think we have to carry out scientific works in this way, focusing on the community. Also, I am very fascinated with the fact of returning the results to the community; since, normally, we keep and file our research works and never give them back to the concerned population.” (Marisabel Villaroel, medical resident, Hospital “Manuel Ascensio Villaroel”, Punata).
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