Open AccessAn emergency department optimized protocol for qualitative research to investigate care seeking by patients with non‐urgent conditions
Author(s) -
Truter Piers,
Edgar Dale,
Mountain David,
Bulsara Caroline
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nursing open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.55
H-Index - 12
ISSN - 2054-1058
DOI - 10.1002/nop2.667
Subject(s) - qualitative research , emergency department , biopsychosocial model , health care , protocol (science) , nursing , content analysis , psychology , medicine , process management , engineering , sociology , social science , alternative medicine , pathology , psychiatry , economics , economic growth
Aim To describe a tailored qualitative research methodology for exploring the complex interaction of factors driving non‐urgent care seeking in the emergency department. Design Qualitative descriptive design with a literature informed semi‐structured interview and analysis structure. Triangulation with the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory allows expedited exploration of biopsychosocial factors. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research requirements integrated. Methods With a short 10‐ to 15‐min interview and a low‐inference analysis process, this methodology offers a structured way to explore the “go to ED” decision, to understand the patient perspective on their healthcare needs and feed into the development of suitable local services that meet patient healthcare needs. Results This methodology offers a structured way for clinician–researchers to explore the factors that influence patients seeking care in the emergency departments for non‐urgent conditions that are specific to their local health service environment. The described methodology is accessible to novice qualitative researchers and includes the semi‐structured interview, coding and analysis frameworks.