Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Qualitative research methods enable a deep understanding of the patient or caregiver experience. The need for methodological rigor and standardization in qualitative data collection is emphasized in regulatory and health technology assessment guidance. Narrative accounts are open-ended, participant-led written or audio-recorded accounts of lived experience on a specific topic. Their use remains poorly defined. This study explores the use of narrative accounts as a qualitative data collection method, including implementation and labelling.
METHODS: A targeted literature review was conducted to identify studies that used narrative accounts. Articles were searched in Medline and Embase databases. AI-assisted abstract screening was performed in Rayyan. Full-text screening was performed manually. Screening involved one primary reviewer screening all abstracts with 10% double screening. Data extraction included field of study, terminology, analytic methods, and rationale for use.
RESULTS: Of the 157 studies identified, six studies were included in full text extraction. Narrative accounts were used as both a standalone approach and as a supplementary method alongside other qualitative approaches. Fields of study included quality of life research, healthcare research and medical education. Rationales for use of narrative accounts included offering participants an alternative to interviews where preferred, informing interview guide development, maximizing recruitment in hard-to-reach populations, and reducing participant burden. The terminology used to refer to narrative accounts varied (e.g., “written summaries”, “narrative exercises”). The implementation of the method differed across studies (e.g., instructions). Thematic analysis was most frequently used for analysis.
CONCLUSIONS: Narrative accounts are implemented and labelled inconsistently across studies, limiting their potential as a qualitative method. Future research should focus on defining narrative accounts as a method and developing guidance to support consistent and methodologically rigorous application. This would offer a standardized, low-burden qualitative method for engaging hard-to-reach populations, or to complement other qualitative methods in understanding lived experience.