Case
Abstract
Arts-based research uses creative forms of expression to explore, understand, represent, and even challenge human experience. Arts-based approaches include dance, drama, collage, and photovoice, and these approaches have seldom been used to investigate topics in health services research. This case study describes the design of a project that proposed a participatory, qualitative, arts-based approach using photovoice and semi-structured interviews to identify the determinants to telehealth adoption for rural seniors with depression. Drawing from a systematic review that has examined the rationales for employing arts-based health services research, this case study discusses which rationales we deemed appropriate for conceptualizing our investigation on the determinants to telehealth adoption. This discussion is followed by a description of our study’s proposed photovoice protocol that included semi-structured interviews as well as the knowledge translation strategies that were key components of the study design because of the nature of data collection methods and our proposed objectives. Finally, we discuss the challenges researchers may face when employing arts-based approaches to study novel topics and that this decision requires researchers to make provisions for ongoing evaluation and reflection. At the same time, arts-based approaches that strive for meaningful stakeholder engagement in research should also conceptualize the barriers to engagement and the strategies that may address these barriers.
