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Table 1 Application of methods

From: Using a multi-method, user centred, prospective hazard analysis to assess care quality and patient safety in a care pathway

Method

Training

Details of method application

Perceived difficulties

Perceived advantages

Observation

1 days training with a human factors expert

Nursing activities were observed during 1 working day.

• Recording of events whilst observing

• Provides valuable information that would not be available through any other method

Care pathway development

None

Meetings/discussion with staff were held to develop the care pathway. Following the first meeting a first draft of the pathway was developed and discussed with the supported discharge care team at further meetings. The final version was agreed by all staff.

• Requires time commitments from busy health professionals

• May require specialist software to create pathway

• Incorporates all relevant health care professionals' views and experiences of the care process

Interviews with staff and patients

5 day qualitative data collection and analysis course

Interviews were undertaken once the care pathway had been finalised. Each interview lasted approx 45 minutes to 1 hour. Analysis of this data accounted for the majority of time spent on data analysis

• Ethics approval probably required

• Analysis is time consuming

• Provides richer and more detailed information than questionnaires