Study Limitations
Our study builds on many qualitative, semi-structured, in-depth interviews and out-patient clinic observations. Combining observation and interviews was important in revealing barriers to recording patients’ social circumstances. However, our study presents some limitations.
Firstly, we did not explore patients’ perspectives. This can be problematic because patients’ perspectives might not match our preconceptions.
Secondly, we have not explored whether there might be essential differences between wards that influence the relevance – and importance – of recording social data in different ways. The best ways of maintaining patients’ social histories might be related to factors peculiar to a specific ward.
Thirdly, this study is based on the idea that patient social histories are a ‘good thing’. However, knowing a patient’s job or age cannot stand on its own, since objective descriptions conceal individual variety. Thus, the future might benefit from a ‘two-handed’ approach rather than an ‘either/or’, finding a dynamic balance between recording social histories and sensing the patient in the given situation.