Table 1.

Twelve Techniques for Conducting Qualitative Interviews with Seriously Ill Individuals about End-of-Life Issues

Technique #1: Find a recruiter who knows the participant pool.

Technique #2: Take adequate time with obtaining informed consent.

Technique #3: Foster a sense of trust and safety from the outset of the interview.

Technique #4: Develop a sense of the participant.

Technique #5: Meet the participant where he or she is.

Technique #6: Start with safer ground and peel back the layers.

Technique #7: Go slowly.

Technique #8: Go where the participant goes.

Technique #9: Redirect the participant appropriately.

Technique #10: End in a way that allows the participant to reflect and regroup.

Technique #11: Wear only your interviewer hat.

Technique #12: Interviewer reflection.