Novel insights into patients' life-worlds: the value of qualitative research

Virginia Braun,Victoria Clarke

doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(19)30296-2

Virginia Braun, Victoria Clarke

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(19)30296-2

Copy DOI

Abstract

In The Lancet Psychiatry, Lucy Livingston and colleagues1 amply demonstrate the rich potential of qualitative methods to provide insight into the life-worlds of patients and analysis of hitherto un(der)explored facets of mental and physical health conditions. The publication of their paper reflects increasing acknowledgment of the value of qualitative methods in medical research. At the same time as some medical publications have questioned the wider value and impact of qualitative research,2 health and social policy3 increasingly demand engagement with the voices and perspectives of patients—something only truly understood through qualitative inquiry.

Highlights

Across the multidisciplinary field of health research, qualitative methods, and thematic analysis,[5,6,7] are not novel, but well established, with a long and rich history
See Articles page 766 In The Lancet Psychiatry, Lucy Livingston and colleagues[1] amply demonstrate the rich potential of qualitative methods to provide insight into the lifeworlds of patients and analysis of hitherto un(der) explored facets of mental and physical health conditions
At the same time as some medical publications have questioned the wider value and impact of qualitative research,[2] health and social policy[3] increasingly demand engagement with the voices and perspectives of patients—something only truly understood through qualitative inquiry

Summary

Introduction

Across the multidisciplinary field of health research, qualitative methods, and thematic analysis,[5,6,7] are not novel, but well established, with a long and rich history. See Articles page 766 In The Lancet Psychiatry, Lucy Livingston and colleagues[1] amply demonstrate the rich potential of qualitative methods to provide insight into the lifeworlds of patients and analysis of hitherto un(der) explored facets of mental and physical health conditions.

Results

Conclusion