RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Patient-Guided Tours: A Patient-Centered Methodology to Understand Patient Experiences of Health Care
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 269
OP 273
DO 10.1370/afm.2971
VO 21
IS 3
A1 Walji, Sakina
A1 Carroll, June
YR 2023
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/21/3/269.abstract
AB PURPOSE The experience-based design approach using patient-guided tours (PGT) has been suggested as an effective way to understand the patient experience and may better allow the patient to recall thoughts and feelings. The objective of this study was to assess how patients with a disability perceive the effectiveness of PGTs for understanding their experiences of receiving primary health care.METHODS A qualitative study design was used. Participants were chosen by convenience sampling. The patient was asked to walk through the clinic as they would on a “typical visit” while describing their experiences. They were questioned about their experience and perception of PGTs. The tour was audiotaped and transcribed. The investigators took field notes and completed thematic content analysis.RESULTS Eighteen patients participated. The main findings were: (1) Touchpoints and physical cues were effective in eliciting experiences that participants stated they would not have recalled using other research methods, (2) The ability for participants to show the investigator aspects of the space that impacted their experience enabled the investigator to “see through their eyes” resulting in ease of communication and a sense of empowerment, (3) PGTs encouraged individuals to be active participants which fostered comfort and collaboration, and (4) PGTs may exclude those that are severely disabled.CONCLUSION This method was perceived as effective at eliciting experiences of patients with a disability. It has benefits over more traditional research methods by allowing the participant to refresh their memory at “touchpoints” and enabling them to be active participants.