Dr. Thurka Sangaramoorthy, along with colleagues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), conducted a training workshop entitled, "Rapid Ethnographic Assessments: A Tool for Promoting Program Improvement, Community Engagement and Health Equity" at the 25th Annual East Coast Migrant Stream Forum held on October 18-20, 2012 in Virginia Beach, VA.

This session provided an overview of rapid ethnographic assessment concepts along with examples of how these assessments can be used to improve service delivery. The workshop focused on: 1) identifying the key concepts and principles of rapid ethnographic assessment, including interview and observation techniques; 2) identifying the key steps in conducting a rapid ethnographic assessment; and 3) knowing when and how rapid ethnographic assessments are appropriate to use.

Rapid ethnographic assessment is a tool for collecting locally relevant data that uses qualitative methods to provide a rich understanding of social, economic, and policy factors that contribute to the root causes of poor health outcomes. This team-based, relatively low-cost approach to data collection provides rapid feedback to program staff, and complements other forms of public health data. Rapid ethnographic assessments have a proven history of success in global health and development where resources and local research capacity are often limited, and where the success of interventions requires direct engagement with local communities. Rapid assessments typically result in findings and recommendations that are practical and based on local realities. 

The Annual East Coast Migrant Stream Meetings provide health professionals and advocates working with migrant populations with exposure to the latest in clinical trends, farmworker-specific service delivery models, cutting-edge research and funding initiatives through workshops and networking opportunities.