As a researcher in health economics, I have always trusted numbers. Models, datasets, and statistical significance were my primary tools for understanding the world. I believed that with enough data, we could explain and evaluate almost everything.
However, my experience with CoA has gradually changed this perspective.
Through my involvement with CoA, I have had the opportunity to learn more about the daily realities of informal caregivers. Beyond the numbers, I began to see the emotional burden, time constraints, and complex decisions that caregivers face every day. These experiences cannot always be fully captured by equations or indicators alone.
Working alongside CoA has reminded me that research should not only aim to measure impact, but also to reflect the real needs and lived experiences of people. It is not about replacing quantitative methods, but about grounding them in reality—ensuring that what we measure truly matters.
This journey has been both humbling and inspiring. It has encouraged me to think more carefully about how research can better support caregivers and contribute to meaningful change in the community. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from CoA, and I look forward to continuing this journey of bridging numbers and real-life impact.
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By: Ms Xingnan YI, Research Assistant
Email: xingnan@hku.hk