9.2.1 Why are patient diaries such an under-used method in nursing research? (45)
Angela Donnelly, Specialist Trainee in Public Health, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, United Kingdom angela.donnelly@bradford.hospitals.nhs.uk
Abstract:
The use of diaries as a qualitative research tool is reported to offer a wealth of advantages in sociological and nursing research yet they are still only used sporadically (Elliot 1997). This presentation will draw on examples from nursing and health services research that have used diaries, either singly or in mixed methodology studies, to discuss the strengths and shortcomings of diary research. The presentation will then focus on the application of this research tool within the field of quality and patient safety research. It will discuss how the method was adopted to ask patients to reflect on aspects of routine inpatient stays in hospital that caused worry or concern. Twenty elective surgery patients completed a solicited (invited) diary throughout their patient journey from pre-admission to hospital, through to discharge home. The diarists were free to write their individual and personal accounts although guided, in general terms, on its completion. Using themes that emerged from the study the presenter will discuss patient reaction to participation and, to what extent, the anticipated benefits of this uncommon methodology were realised.
Recommended reading list:
- Corti L. (1993) Using diaries in social research. Social Research Update, 2. http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/sru/SRU2.html
- Elliott, H. (1997) 'The Use of Diaries in Sociological Research on Health Experience'Sociological Research Online, vol. 2, no. 2, http://www.socresonline.org.uk/socresonline/2/2/7.html
- Clayton, A., &Thorne, T. (2000). Diary data enhancing rigour: Analysis framework and verification tool. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 32(6), 1514 - 1521
Source of Funding: UK - Health Service (National)
Amount in Funding: 1,000 - 10,000
Biography:
Angela is in training on the Yorkshire and Humber Public Health Training Scheme to become a Consultant in Public Health. She is based at the Bradford Institute for Health Research at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. She is a nurse by background with an interest in health services research, particularly in relation to patient contribution to quality and safety research. Angela is currently developing a patient record to give inpatients a formal mechanism to document their own experiences. The methodology she wishes to discuss has formed the basis for its development.