It’s not just a headache: the contribution of patient researchers to a qualitative study of migraine

2004 Conference

This presentation focuses on the contribution of the patient researchers at the design stage. Originally the interviews were to be structured along the theme of the migraine “journey” and what milestones or stages of the journey were significant for the sufferers. After pilot interviews it became apparent, particularly to the patient researchers, that the idea of migraine as a journey with clearly identifiable milestones was not meaningful to the sufferers. The condition was chronic and did not evolve in a linear fashion. Certain common themes did emerge, however. The structure of the interviews was altered accordingly, with the interviewers keeping these major themes in mind and including questions in each of these areas.

This difference may reflect a crucial difference in the approach of health professionals and patients, with the doctor feeling that there must be progression along a clearly defined path for treatment or management to be considered successful. The contribution of the patient researcher may help to add another perspective to this approach.