Fieldwork in Isolated Locations and Under-Resourced Settings: Practical Insights from Research in the Remote Gogodala Homelands of Papua New Guinea

This case provides an analysis of fieldwork logistics in the tropical nation of Papua New Guinea. The fieldwork was part of an interview-based study focusing on tuberculosis treatment adherence. The town of Balimo, where the study was based, is at the centre of a remote region that is difficult to access and demonstrates many of the challenges facing health systems in countries like Papua New Guinea. Retrospective analysis was used to identify fieldwork considerations for researchers and assist others to do similar research. Practical lessons learned are described in the context of infrastructural, economic and cultural factors. These lessons are important when planning research in unfamiliar settings, as well as to understanding challenges associated with healthcare delivery. The need for local collaboration and involvement was demonstrated. The importance of researchers attempting to get an insider perspective of the data was also highlighted. This was achieved through undertaking interviews in both urban and village settings, as well as gaining insights from local cultural mentors. Health services research should be guided by local conditions and integrated with local programmes. Following proper integration and planning, researchers should not forget the practical considerations that are particularly important in remote and resource-limited settings.