Action research on own practice. Methodological challenges.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Using experiences from a study on clinical communication, the objective was to clarify the methodological challenges that general practitioners are faced with when researching their own practice. DESIGN: A case study of the methodological challenges of an action research project in which the researcher is both participating observer and observing participator. The material comprised notes and transcripts from audiotapes, and was investigated with a view to highlighting experiences that might facilitate the research process. SETTING: The practice of the author. SUBJECTS: 36 consultations with 16 patients during which the illness diary method was applied. RESULTS: The challenges of the project are presented as turning-point stories, i.e. stories demonstrating relations, perspective shifts and metapositions. Perspective shifts were established by introspection through dialogues with oneself, and by relation to helpers through dialogues with patients and supervisors. Reflexivity was promoted by combining pictures from different perspectives. CONCLUSION: It is possible and sensible to study oneself in interaction. The information gained from carefully designed research in one's own practice could be an underestimated source of valuable knowledge about the personal and existential aspects of clinical medicine.