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Using a mobile messenger service as a digital diary to capture patients’ experiences along their interorganizational treatment path in gynecologic oncology: Lessons learned
ABSTRACT
Background:
A digital diary in form of a mobile messenger service offers a novel method for data collection in cancer research. Little is known about the things to consider when using this data collection method in clinical research for oncology patients.
Objective:
The purpose of this paper is to report our lessons learned from using a digital diary method via mobile messenger service for data collection in oncology care. We hope to provide other researchers with useful information when considering this method for their research with patients.
Methods:
This article focusses on three main topics: (1) data quality, (2) practical aspects and (3) data security. Information was collected with field protocols by the research staff, regular team discussions and consultations of IT experts.
Results:
The interactive nature of the method allowed us to partake in the participants’ lived experience, adequately reflecting the phenomenological approach and producing high quality data. Practical issues and corresponding solutions involved technicalities of the mobile service as well as the participant and researcher interaction. Our reflections on data privacy and information security resulted in a comprehensive checklist to inform fellow researchers on the selection of a suitable messenger service for different scenarios.
Conclusions:
Using a mobile messenger service as a digital diary provided us with high quality data resulting from the richness of experiences shared by participants. Our lessons learned can guide future qualitative research using this relatively novel method for data collection in cancer research.
Citation
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Copyright
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