The potential of experience sampling methods in palliative care.

Abstract

Background: Experience sampling methods typically involve multiple self-report assessments per day over consecutive days. Unlike traditional patient-reported outcome measures or interviews, such methods offer the possibility to capture the temporal fluctuations of experiences in daily environments, making them valuable for studying the daily lives of people with advanced illness. Yet, their use in palliative care research is limited.

Aims: To introduce experience sampling methods to the field of palliative care as a valuable tool for studying the everyday experiences of people with advanced illness, and to present the findings of an experience sampling methods pilot study with people with advanced breast or advanced lung cancer.

Evidence used to support the information presented: We draw on published health research using experience sampling methods. We present a newly developed experience sampling methods questionnaire (ESM-AC) and report pilot study findings on the feasibility and acceptability of experience sampling methods among people with advanced breast or lung cancer.

Key learning points: Experience sampling methods hold potential to uncover the dynamics of everyday experiences of people with advanced illness. The methods offer considerable flexibility and options to answer a variety of research questions, but consideration is required regarding sampling protocols and participant burden. We showed appropriate feasibility and acceptable participant burden of the methods among people with advanced breast or advanced lung cancer.