Reflections From Participants Who Participated in a Photovoice Study: The Importance of Flexibility and Individualization

Participant feedback can help researchers identify aspects to consider and improve in the design of future studies. In this study, we explored the experiences and perceptions of participants who participated in a photovoice study, and their thoughts on how the study could be improved to enhance participant experiences, accessibility and inclusivity. Fourteen racialized individuals impacted by stroke, including individuals who have experienced a stroke ( n = 11) and stroke caregivers ( n = 3), participated in this qualitative interpretive descriptive study via one post-photovoice interview to share their experiences and perspectives in the photovoice study. Three themes were generated following Thorne’s interpretive description analysis approach. Theme 1 ‘motivators, enablers, barriers and opportunities to enhance participation in a photovoice study’ highlighted participants’ motivations to participate in the photovoice study and potential barriers that could limit participation by some in the study. Theme 2 ‘meeting diverse participant needs and preferences in the photovoice study’ highlighted participants’ thoughts on how researchers could enhance participant experiences, accessibility and inclusivity in a photovoice study within the study’s structure and logistics, photo-taking, individual interviews and focus groups. Theme 3 highlighted participants’ thoughts on the benefits of study participation, including the direct and indirect benefits (or lack thereof) and their opinions about the honorarium. While these findings only reflect the experiences of 14 participants in a single photovoice study, they may offer valuable insights for researchers looking to critically assess and refine their own methods. In particular, they highlight the importance of designing approaches that are inclusive, accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of participants.