Methods: An audiotaped semi-structured interview regarding OHBC coaching was conducted by a research assistant on 30 HIV+ adults upon completing a six month periodontal disease treatment study. Patients received OHBC coaching informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model at each of six study recall visits. Interview questions were based on components the OHBC coaching process/model that were identified prior to the study. Post-hoc, a second researcher listened to the audiotaped interviews and transcribed patient responses; post-hoc responses were compared to the researcher’s comments written during the interview. Using grounded theory, patient responses to open-ended questions were categorized into themes and subthemes; frequency of thematic response was calculated as was the percent of unique patients endorsing the theme.
Results: Common qualitative themes that emerged across several questions were: 1) thorough instruction/enhanced oral hygiene skill mastery (52 responses; 90% of subjects), and 2) customized coaching (37 responses, 77%). Within one question concerning the OHBC coaching process, common themes were: 1) feeling empowered (18 responses; 53%), 2) positive patient-provider interaction (15 responses, 37%), 3) interactive/visual learning (11 responses, 27%), and 4) patient actively involved in the process (4 responses; 10%). The post-hoc audiotape review found that patients were engaged and attentive during the interview (46 instances, 67%) but also found 22 incidences (53% of subjects) of patients having comprehension/communication issues.
Conclusion: Interview responses concerning OHBC coaching sessions were favorable; patients’ themes were consistent with components of the OHBC coaching process/model proposed prior to the study. Identifying comprehension/communication issues may represent a “missed opportunity” to clarify data and probe patients more deeply. Timely audiotape review may help enhance interviewer’s skills and improve data clarity.