Phenomenological interview of older adults through virtual media: an experience report

Abstract

Objectives: to report the experience of conducting phenomenological interviews through virtual means in a group of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: an experience report on the main aspects that the researchers experienced in the virtual phenomenological interview process as an alternative to face-to-face interviews with older adults during social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: the experience of conducting phenomenological interviews by videoconference was useful, enriching and satisfying. The difficulties that arose were smaller in relation to the benefits of the technique. Final Considerations: the use of technology to optimize qualitative data collection is a recommended strategy that can be adopted by nursing whenever the research objectives allow.

Understanding of caregivers of bedridden older adults about the primary assistance received to their own health care

“…The research is based on Alfred Schütz's sociological phenomenology, which proposes to study how human phenomena are experienced in consciousness, cognitive and perceptual acts, as well as how they can be valued or appreciated aesthetically through understanding the "reasons for" and "reasons why" 9 . The guiding question posed was: "Have caregivers of bedridden older adults been receiving healthcare assistance from primary health care for their own health, according to caregivers' perceptions?"…”

“…In order to obtain different meanings, the research employed analysis and interpretation categories that varied according to the intersubjectivity of each participant. To achieve the typical action of the subjects, the phenomenological methodology was utilized, namely: apprehension of speech to describe the lived experience of the subjects; transcription of interviews, excluding Portuguese errors while preserving the subjectivity of the researcher-subject face-to-face relationship; careful and meticulous reading to transform what appeared subjective into objective, with the purpose of grouping the found meanings into categories; the intentionality of the lived experience of the participants, through the "reasons for" and "reasons why" 4,9 .…”

“…According to recent research, these feelings are understandable, considering that many caregivers do not receive help from others in caregiving tasks, have less time for themselves, and may become socially isolated. It is known that any activity requires planning, as caregivers need to reorganize their routines to find someone to stay with the dependent during their absence, and this is not always possible 9,22,[32][33][34][35] .…”

“…However, an interesting factor is that the family caregiver is usually a user of the same BHU as the older person. Studies indicate that they are not addressed during home visits as users of the unit, with their own problems or complaints, but rather as informants about the health conditions of the dependent older adult 9,12,23,[32][33][34][35] .…”

Compreensão de cuidadores de pessoas idosas acamadas acerca da assistência recebida pela atenção primária à sua saúde

“…Pesquisa baseada na fenomenologia compreensiva sociológica de Alfred Schütz, que propõe estudar como os fenômenos humanos são experienciados na consciência, nos atos cognitivos e perceptuais, tanto quanto como eles podem ser valorizados ou apreciados esteticamente por meio do entendimento dos "motivos para" e "motivos porque" 9 . Traçou-se como questão norteadora: "Os cuidadores de idosos acamados têm recebido atendimento pela atenção primária para sua saúde, segundo a percepção dos cuidadores?…”