A qualitative approach to primary care research: the long interview
Crabtree, B.F.; Miller, W.L.
Family Medicine 23(2): 145-151
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0742-3225 PMID: 2037216 Document Number: 370586
Qualitative research methods offer useful complements to the traditional epidemiologic approaches most commonly used by primary care researchers. Narrative texts generated through open-ended interviews are one form of qualitative data that may provide useful insights into primary care issues that are otherwise overlooked by more structured designs. This paper presents a step-by-step process for conducting a long interview, a qualitative approach with distinct potential for primary care research. Advantages and limitations of the long interview and its relationship to other qualitative methods are also discussed.