Researching human experience: Video Intervention/Prevention Assessment (VIA)

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Author:

Patashnick, Jennifer L.; Rich, Michael

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Year:

2005

Article Title:

Researching human experience: Video Intervention/Prevention Assessment (VIA)

Journal:

Australasian Journal of Information Systems

Volume:

Edition:

Issue:

Pages:

103-111

ISBN/ISSN:

1039-7841

Source of Funding:

Funding Source Not Stated in Paper

Study Design:

Descriptive/Historical

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Age Group:

URL:

Abstract:

Objective: To examine the value of human experience as data, its history and uses, and to explore Video Intervention/Prevention Assessment (VIA), a patient-centered health research method in which patients video-record their lives with chronic conditions, as a means for capturing and analyzing human experience.

Design: Review of the history and use of human experience as data, a description of VIA methodology, and analysis of sample VIA data.

Subjects and Setting: N/A

Intervention(s): N/A

Outcome Measure(s): N/A

Results: Human experience provides a wealth of complex data, frequently overlooked in research designs. First used in 1994 at Children's Hospital Boston, VIA utilizes the rich and varied data of experience to address a communication gap between clinicians and pediatric or adolescent patients. Participants are loaned lightweight video-recorders, supplied with blank tapes, and asked to create visual illness narratives by recording as many aspects of their lives as possible. The tapes are then transcribed into both objective and subjective logs; the logs are analyzed with NVivo, a software program designed to manage qualitative data. This recording method grants ownership of the illness to the patient, by giving him the power to communicate experience and knowledge. This method also provides clinicians with a better understanding of patients' daily experiences, allowing them to more effectively deliver health care.

Conclusion: VIA allows for a rigorous examination of human experience, relying on the patient's subjective experience of illness; the insight contained in visual illness narratives can be used in conjunction with clinician knowledge to provide more effective health care delivery. � Center on Media and Child Health

Keywords:

Chronic Illness
Communications
Empowerment
Health Care
Media Production
Motivation
Patients
Perception
Physician's Role
Video Cameras