Longitudinal qualitative research: techniques for illuminating nursing care in the community

Longitudinal , qualitative research offers many advantages in understanding experiences through the journey of a long-term health condition. The use of qualitative, serial interviews allows the in-depth exploration of the experience of the patient with a long term condition and the family carer experience as it changes over time. It contrasts with single interviews which provide a snapshot at one point in time. The relationship and trust is built over time between the participant(s) and researcher, allowing the time for sensitive or complex information to be disclosed in depth. Serial qualitative interviewing yields a detailed and contextualised account of the experience of change and decline in chronic illness , relationships between the cared for and the family carers as they develop strategies to manage distressing and stigmatising symptoms and the response and impact of health and social care services and professionals as the disease progresses and the symptoms change. This presentation explores the both the value of the method and also techniques to manage and analyse data drawing on funded studies of the experiences of older adults with multiple co-morbidities and people with dementia.