Living documents: A longitudinal data collection method for health services research

Qualitative research tools offer health sciences researchers the ability to understand complex, varied, and nuanced facets of an individual’s lived experiences. Several of these tools include observations, interviews, and focus groups, each with its own advantages and limitations. We created an alternative tool, the Living Document, an iterative, longitudinal, open-ended, and adaptable questionnaire that overcomes the barriers presented by other qualitative research tools. The Living Documents allows researchers to better understand and familiarize themselves with the research context, understand change over time, and capture the perspectives of research participants. As a proof of concept, the Living Document was employed within a chronic disease program embedded within primary care called the Best Care COPD (BCC) program to better understand its growth and implementation in new patient sites. Given the iterative and sequential nature of the tool employed within the BCC program, its compatibility with other data collection tools, and its longitudinal use, the Living Document was shown to be a valuable tool for the field of health sciences and for implementation research.