Utilizing qualitative data from nominal groups: exploring the influences on treatment outcome prioritization with rheumatoid arthritis patients

J Health Psychol. 2012 Jan;17(1):132-42. doi: 10.1177/1359105311410758. Epub 2011 Jun 27.

Abstract

The nominal group technique generates quantitative data through a process of experts ranking items of interest. This article focuses on the additional collection of qualitative data from nominal groups with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, used to explore the influences on prioritizing treatment outcomes. Across all groups, the top five outcomes with the highest importance scores were identified as: pain; joint damage; fatigue; activities of daily living; and mobility. Qualitative findings showed that the personal impact of RA influenced decisions on how to rank specific outcomes through four domains: disease impact; adaptation to illness; external resources and stressors; and social expectations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / rehabilitation*
  • Consensus
  • Fatigue / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / classification*
  • Pain / prevention & control
  • Patient Preference / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United Kingdom