Analyzing free-text survey responses: An accessible strategy for developing patient-centered programs and program evaluation

Traci H Abraham; Tisha L Deen; Michelle Hamilton; Gala True; Marie T O'Neil; Jessica Blanchard; Madeline Uddo

doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101733

Analyzing free-text survey responses: An accessible strategy for developing patient-centered programs and program evaluation

Eval Program Plann. 2020 Feb:78:101733. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101733. Epub 2019 Oct 22.

Authors

Traci H Abraham¹, Tisha L Deen², Michelle Hamilton³, Gala True⁴, Marie T O'Neil⁵, Jessica Blanchard⁵, Madeline Uddo⁶

Affiliations

¹ Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, 2200 Fort Roots Drive, Building 58, North Little Rock, AR 72114-1706, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States; VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, 2200 Fort Roots Drive, Building 58, North Little Rock, AR 72114-1706, United States. Electronic address: Traci.Abraham@va.gov.
² Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center, 2200 Fort Roots Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72114-1706, United States.
³ Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, 2400 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119, United States.
⁴ South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, 2400 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119, United States; Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States.
⁵ New Orleans, LA 70119, United States.
⁶ South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, 2400 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119, United States.

PMID: 31675509
DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101733

Abstract

Despite widespread availability of yoga in the Veterans Health Administration (VA), it remains unclear how to best evaluate yoga programs. This is particularly problematic for programs aimed at veterans with mental health concerns, as evaluation typically focuses narrowly upon mental health symptom severity, even though program participants may have other health-related priorities. We analyzed responses to free-text questions on 237 surveys completed by veterans with mental health concerns enrolled in a yoga program at six VA clinics in Louisiana to characterize veteran participants' experiences with yoga. Qualitative analysis resulted in 15 domains reflecting veterans' individual health-related values and priorities. We use results to illustrate the potential for analysis of free-text responses to reveal valuable insights into patient experiences, demonstrating how these data can inform patient-centered program evaluation. The approach we present is more accessible to those responsible for decision-making about local programs than conventional methods of analyzing qualitive evaluation data.

Keywords: Health services research methods; Mental health; Military health; Qualitative research.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Environment
Health Promotion / organization & administration
Health Status
Humans
Mental Health
Patient-Centered Care / organization & administration*
Program Development / methods*
Program Evaluation / methods*
Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*
United States
United States Department of Veterans Affairs / organization & administration
Yoga*