Patient-Oriented Research and Grounded Theory: A Case Study of How an Old Method Can Inform Cutting-Edge Research

Abstract

Creating evidence that is both scientifically rigorous and patient oriented in addressing patients' needs is essential to informing health-care professionals' practice and meeting patient needs. Patient-oriented research (POR) aims to address this 2-fold mandate by engaging and incorporating patients' voices throughout the research process through a variety of techniques. Currently, there is little methodological rigor or guidance to help qualitative patient-oriented researchers design, collect, and analyze patient data. Classical grounded theory (GT) is arguably one of the most rigorous qualitative research methods, focusing on the development of theory from data grounded in participants' voices. As such, classical GT is an ideal methodological approach for conducting POR due to its rigor, patient-oriented focus, and generation of an empirical model focused on the topic of interest. The purpose of this article is to describe the convergence and divergence between classical GT and POR, based on the current literature and pragmatically through an ongoing classical GT study focused on combat veterans' perspective on Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs). By describing the methodological principles and their implementation in a POR study, we provide readers with both substantive and practical knowledge to utilize classical GT in POR studies, particularly within study populations that may be averse to or experience challenges in participating in research. Classical GT therefore provides patient-oriented researchers with a pragmatic methodological framework for engaging patients and generating rigorous evidence.

Support for healthcare workers and patients after medical error through mutual healing: another step towards patient safety

“…Like patient-oriented research, grounded theory research puts a high priority on the input and insight of those with experience with the research topic, which guide researchers in their data analysis and conclusions, rather than confirm or validate a priori assumptions. As justified previously, 21 grounded theory method ‘helps to allow researchers to develop a theory based exclusively on what matters to participants’. This methodology amplified the opportunity to solidly ground our study on the experience and shared stories of the patient and HCW participants, and meaningful interpretation of those experiences.…”

Consumer Engagement in Perioperative Clinical Trials

“…In Canada, the SPOR group incorporated Vandall-Walkers framework, 69,70 which uses a qualitative approach that includes the ability to integrate engagement using grounded theory. The framework considers patients to be equal with all other members of the research team, enabling and highlighting their unique expertise, their knowledge of their condition, outcomes, and treatment.…”

Fit theory: A cancer experience grounded theory emerging from semi-structured interviews with cancer patients and informal caregivers in Manitoba Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Classic grounded theory was first described by Barney Glaser and Anslem Strauss in 1967 as a method for discovering theory through rigorous data analysis [22,23]. Originally developed in the field of sociology, it has become widely used in many health sciences disciplines including nursing, social work, and medicine [24]. Two hallmarks of classic grounded theory make it the ideal approach for developing a theoretical understanding of the cancer experience during the pandemic: constant comparison and emergence.…”

“…Fit theory is useful for providing an evidence-based theory as a starting point for constructing a strategy for triaging which patients are appropriate for virtual care and for measuring its effectiveness. However, developing and testing such a strategy will require input from all stakeholders, including patients and their informal caregivers [24] and careful evaluation using an approach suitable for complex interventions [17] and likely involve the use of quantitative and qualitative methods through all phases of development and deployment [46].…”