Doing the analysis differently: Using narrative to inform understanding of patient participation in contact tracing for sexually transmissible infections Available to Purchase

The aims and objectives of this paper were to understand the key influences hindering patients, participation in the contact tracing process for sexually transmissible infection exposure; to study the anatomy of a complex sexual network through the eyes of a committed contact tracer and a group of teenagers; and to identify lessons from the research. Unstructured and group interviews were undertaken with a group of sixth form students and an unstructured interview with a contact tracer. Cue (storyboards) cards and hypothetical sexual networks were used – the outcome demonstrated that generated narrative about sexual network experiences can be analysed using a schema of representation of experience and could be subjected to Labov's structural categories for assignment of spheres of action, to undertake interpretation. Themes identified include: confidentiality, secrecy, friendship, community, the law and social sanctions. We conclude that contact tracing is under the spotlight and that we need to understand the personal experiences of being subjected to a process where little consideration has been given to the social and psychological consequences. Narrative analytic strategies can be applied to gain this much‐needed rich data.