Enhancing the hermeneutic single-case efficacy design: Bridging the research–practice gap

Abstract

Systematic case study designs are emerging as alternative paradigm strategies for psychotherapy and social science research. Through enhanced sensitivity to context, these designs examine idiographic profiles of causal processes. We specifically advocate the use of the hermeneutic single-case efficacy design (HSCED). HSCED has recently been used to investigate the efficacy of an existing therapy with a new population (Observed and Experiential Integration for athlete performance barriers) and an emerging therapy (Lifespan Integration Therapy). We describe innovations in HSCED that were implemented for these studies. These developments include (a) integrating psychotherapists as case developers, (b) incorporating multiple cases in one investigation, and (c) tailoring the repertoire of assessment tools. These extensions strategically incorporated principles of contextual paradigms in HSCED, thus complementing single-case designs that neglect idiographic contexts. We discuss recommendations for using HSCED in practice-based research, highlighting its potential as a bridge to address the research-practice gap.

A phenomenological study on the lived experiences of families of ICU patients, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…completely suspend (bracket out) all the prejudices and pre-understandings about the phenomenon, the Husserl transcendental type of phenomenology was not the choice [23]. According to Gadamer (1976), it may not be possible to fully 'eliminate' one's own view point regarding a phenomenon called 'horizon' which is again influenced by the researcher's prior belief, experience, professional background and act of seeing things [24].…”

“…In the meantime, the primary investigator was open and alert for any new emerging ideas during the interview. The new emerging idea was made to be open for possible new meanings and interpretations while the researcher remained cognizant of the temporality of the 'truth and the horizons of the interpreter and the text' [23].…”

TA Treatment of Depression: A Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design Study - 'Sergio'

“…The HSCED main investigator and first author of this paper is a Provisional Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (PTSTA-P) with 15 years of clinical experience, with a strong allegiance for TA. Despite recent literature suggesting that hermeneutic analysis should be carried out by expert psychotherapists (Wall et al, 2016), we believe that such indication is suitable when the research is investigating a new population or a therapy that lacks a research base. In our case, we preferred to follow the indication of Bohart (2000), who proposed that analyses can be carried out by a team of 'reasonable persons', not yet overly committed to any theoretical approach or professional role.…”

TA Treatment of Depression: A Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design Study - 'Beatrice'

“…The HSCED main investigator and first author of this paper is a PTSTA-P with 15 years of clinical experience, with a strong allegiance for TA. Despite recent literature suggesting that hermeneutic analysis should be carried out by expert psychotherapists (Wall et al, 2016), we believe that such indication is suitable when the research is investigating a new population or a therapy that lacks a research base. In our case, we preferred to follow the indication of Bohart (2000), who proposed that analyses can be carried out by a team of 'reasonable persons', not yet overly committed to any theoretical approach or professional role.…”