Developing longitudinal qualitative designs: lessons learned and recommendations for health services research.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Oncology

Background:

• Longitudinal qualitative methods are increasingly utilized in health services research.
• Challenges specific to healthcare settings are not well-documented.
• This study explores experiences of cancer patients and their carers over twelve months post-diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe strategies for longitudinal qualitative studies in healthcare.
• To highlight ethical, practical, theoretical, and methodological issues.
• To provide recommendations for robust approaches in health services research.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal qualitative study design.
• Exploration of symptom experience in cancer patients and carers.
• Participant follow-up from diagnosis for twelve months.

Main Results:

• Key considerations include theory use, mixed analysis methods, and early attention to practical/ethical issues.
• Specific challenges involve time, data collection, topic guide adaptation, recruitment, staff retention, confidentiality, and staff/patient impact.
• Data analysis within and across time is crucial.

Conclusions:

• Longitudinal qualitative methods in health services research need enhanced approaches.
• Methodological and practical challenges require conceptual improvement.
• Recommendations are provided for designing and conducting such studies, particularly for chronic and life-limiting conditions.