The Power of Listening: Reaffirming the Value of In-Depth Interviews With Patients in Healthcare Research
Author(s)
Sharma R1, Swami S2, Srivastava T2
1ConnectHEOR, Edmonton, AB, Canada, 2ConnectHEOR, London, UK
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: This study advocates for traditional qualitative health research methods, particularly in-depth interviews, for active patient engagement in healthcare research, recognizing the critical importance of patient voices in healthcare decision-making. METHODS: This study engaged with experts in the field of patient-centered research to gather their insights on the power of listening through qualitative methods. RESULTS: Insights from expert interviews highlighted that in-depth interviews offer a golden opportunity to listen to patients, providing rich, nuanced information that enhances understanding of healthcare decisions. Their perspectives emphasized the enduring value of in-depth interviews, which allow researchers to engage deeply with patients and reveal key aspects of their experiences. The experts also emphasized that, despite advocacy for active patient engagement and co-creation of research in healthcare decision-making, these approaches remain underutilized due to their resource-intensive nature. A key takeaway from these discussions was the recognition that today, with artificial intelligence facilitating the production of quantitative data and streamlining resources in other areas, it is an opportune moment to reassess traditional methods. Specifically, reallocating resources to prioritize patient conversations and active patient involvement—which have historically been underutilized due to resource constraints. Despite the trend towards quantitative research with large samples for robust evidence, qualitative methods like patient interviews remain indispensable. CONCLUSIONS: In an era where quantitative data often dominates, we must not undermine the power of listening. One detailed conversation with a patient can provide insights into several dimensions that significantly impact all aspects of healthcare decision-making. Experts in patient engagement emphasize that despite being a traditional approach, in-depth interviews remain highly valued for their ability to uncover nuanced patient perspectives that quantitative methods may overlook.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2024-11, ISPOR Europe 2024, Barcelona, Spain
Value in Health, Volume 27, Issue 12, S2 (December 2024)
Code
PCR120
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient Engagement
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas