Motivation in Self-monitoring Processes: Evaluation of Ecological Momentary Storytelling

Patient-involved treatment, such as self-monitoring, is a central
ambition in health care in Scandinavia. Norway, Sweden,
England and the Netherlands have enacted legislation
on the patient’s right to involvement. In Denmark, patient
involvement is formulated as one of the ten national health
goals. Patient-governed treatment is politically articulated
as a way to individual empowerment. Nevertheless,
doctors and nurses find that many patients express reluctance
and a lack of motivation. In line with the political
discourse and with an ambition to uncover work-related
stressors the authors developed the self-monitoring method
Ecological Momentary Storytelling. The purpose of the article
is to present test participants’ articulated experiences
with using the method. Through a grounded theory based
analysis of follow-up dialogues with the participants, the
findings emphasize how motivation is not solely anchored
inside the individual as a personal desire to master a situation
or be empowered. Matters such as complex life situations,
inability to handle technology and problems understanding
questions posed are to a large extend externally
anchored and articulated as hindrances for motivation.