Introduction

In-depth interviewing, a commonly used research method, when investigating peoples' experiences of illness, attempts to elicit the interviewee's experiences and their inherent meanings. Like conversations, in-depth interviews have the potential to affect both the interviewer and interviewee ¹. During this process, it is suggested that the interviewee can discover new patterns and relationships regarding the subject of the interview ². These and the interview process may influence the participant's behaviour and perception of their medical condition producing a possible quasi-therapeutic effect ³. A literature review concluded that very little has been written about this possible effect.

Aim

To explore what effect, if any, there is upon respondents after participating in an 'in-depth' research interview, regarding their experiences of hypertension and their treatment and care.

Method

A questionnaire, checked for face validity, with 13 questions was posted to hypertensive participants (n=30), three to eight months after being interviewed in a previous stage of the study. This group of participants had self selected themselves for the previous stage of the study and consisted of 12 females and 18 males. The average length of time since being diagnosed with hypertension was 9.2 years, ranging from 6 months to 30 years. The average age of the group was 59 years, ranging from 20 to 78 years. The data was analysed using grounded theory.

Findings

A total of 25 responses were received (83.3%), consisting of 11 females and 14 males. The findings of this study seem to indicate that some benefit was derived for some of those who participated in the original study. This benefit could be taking more control over their lifestyle by considering what and how much they eat, and/or increasing the time involved in regular exercise or relaxation. For others, it was the need for both, additional information on hypertension and their available options, and for healthcare professionals to talk with them and discuss their condition and its treatment.

Discussion

This study seems to suggest that participating in in-depth interviews, which concern experiences of illness and its treatment, can have a therapeutic benefit for some participants. This benefit is possibly related to the participant's perceptions and behaviours surrounding the subject of the interview. Researchers may need to take account of this possible consequence, and be aware that even interviews are not clean-cut procedures and can leave fingerprints.

References

1. Kvale S. Interviews: An introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing. London: Sage, 1996.
2. Kvale S. The 1000 page question. Phenomenology and Pedagogy 1988;6:90-106.
3. Rogers CR. The necessary and sufficient conditions of therapeutic personality change. Journal of Consultant Psychology 1957;21:95-103.