TÉCNICAS DE MEDIDA

The purpose of reporting researcher characteristics and reflexivity in qualitative research is to develop an understanding of “how these [characteristics]

influenced data collection and interpretation” (O'Brien et al., 2014, p.1246). In addition, Creswell (2007) states that one of the first steps in phenomenological research is that “researchers must bracket out, as much as possible, their own experiences”`(Creswell, 2007, p.61). The main reason for doing this in the context of this study is to develop awareness of my own subjective experiences and conceptualisations of pressure throughout health treatment so that I can avoid colouring my interviews and subsequent analysis of the transcripts with biased preconceptions as much as possible. This is consistent with

transcendental phenomenological research “in which investigators set aside their experiences, as much as possible, to take a fresh perspective toward the phenomenon under examination” (Creswell, 2007, p.59).

Accordingly, I will first describe myself in terms of a list of characteristics recommended by a recently published synthesis of recommendations for reporting qualitative research (O'Brien et al., 2014). Next, I will write about an experience of feeling under pressure in my personal dental treatment within the last year. I chose an example from my dental treatment in particular because it occurred relatively recently so I can recall it easier than previous experiences of health treatment. In addition, I believe it is the most suitable recent experience I can use to make explicit the main experiences of pressure that I have

personally experienced throughout all of my health treatments during my lifetime. Finally, I will discuss my perception of how these characteristics and

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experiences might have influenced my research activity in the chapter four, section 4.10.

2.16.1 Researchers’ characteristics that may influence the research

At the time of writing, I am a PhD candidate at the Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. I completed an undergraduate degree in psychology, an M.Sc. in applied social research both at Trinity College Dublin and further trainings in various clinically-oriented skills such as applied

behaviour analysis, pivotal response training, counselling, workshop facilitation for people with a learning disability, suicide intervention and non-violent crisis intervention. Training in qualitative research skills was a significant component of both my undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. Before I began this qualitative study I had conducted a number of qualitative studies (e.g. Bane et al., 2012). As part of the PhD programme, I worked as a clinical scientist on the multidisciplinary team of the Inspectorate of Mental Health Services in Ireland for a period of three years. I have no specific memories of contact with the participants prior to the qualitative interviews. There is a small possibility that I came in contact briefly with some participants through my involvement in other research projects prior to the qualitative interviews. However, none of the participants appeared to recognise me when I first met them for the qualitative interview. An assumption that I held before, during and after the research interviews was that the interview questions were generally difficult to answer because questions such as “When is force justified?” pose challenging moral dilemmas. I believe my research activity was also shaped by the

multidisciplinary backgrounds of my collaborators and supervisors which included significant expertise in nursing and clinical psychiatry.

2.16.2 Personal experience of pressure throughout health treatment

Within the past year I sought dental treatment for a lost filling. I believe that I was motivated to seek help due to mild pain and a concern that leaving the lost filling untreated could lead to preventable tooth decay and more costly and invasive treatments in the future. I scheduled an appointment with a local dental practice. When booking the appointment, the practice co-ordinator with whom I made the appointment told me that it was a policy of the dental centre to charge

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patients a fee for missed appointments. I did not feel under pressure to attend the appointment due to awareness of this fee probably because I was already highly motivated to attend the appointment due to my pain and concern. However, I appreciated how other patients could have felt under pressure to attend due to this missed appointment fee. When I attended the appointment, the dentist examined my teeth and determined that part of the filling was

missing. The dentist recommended a treatment plan that involved restoration of the filling at a later date, which I was agreeable to. In this context, I viewed the dentist as a skilled professional who could use her expertise to conduct a clinical assessment and recommend treatment based on the results of this assessment and in accordance with best practice guidelines. This process could either support or refute specific perceptions and interpretations about the problem that I was seeking help for that I had formed before the appointment. I viewed myself as a consumer of a professional service who was paying for expert assessment and advice. I trusted the expertise of the dentist and experienced our interpersonal interaction as clinical, cooperative and goal- oriented.

As part of the treatment plan, the dentist recommended that I attend an appointment with the dental hygienist of the practice team before the filling restoration. After inspecting my teeth and discussing my dental care

behaviours, the dental hygienist said that while my overall dental health was good there was scope for improvement. This process helped me develop awareness of how I had contributed to my current difficulties through unhelpful habits that I had maintained. It also helped me identify how I could avoid developing similar difficulties in the future by cultivating more helpful habits. I felt a mild amount of pressure with this awareness to improve my dental hygiene. I would characterise this feeling of pressure as my eagerness to modify my personal habits in a way that is likely to enhance my health and wellbeing. I experienced my interpersonal interaction with the dental hygienist as friendly. For example, she gave me free dental hygiene products that I observed her receive from a marketing representative immediately before our appointment. She also expressed interest and curiosity about my personal life and shared some interesting aspects of her personal life with me. After meeting

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the dental hygienist, I felt inclined to follow her advice and attend routine check- ups at the dental practice in the future.