Qualitative evidence synthesis and conceptual development

Abstract

The synthesis of qualitative research, particularly meta-ethnography, has become well established in health research. Qualitative evidence synthesis can help address a number of problems including insufficient appreciation of the value of qualitative research. If primary qualitative research can contribute to the transformation of health services by engaging with the views and experiences of those receiving and providing healthcare, then qualitative evidence synthesis can take this to a higher conceptual level by providing a more coherent understanding of the real lives of people receiving healthcare. In this chapter, I review five seminal meta-ethnographies by exploring how the products of these syntheses make original and potentially transformative contributions to healthcare. These syntheses contributed a series of new concepts and lines of argument. The concepts include lay testing; identity threat and stigma; and managing illness as a struggle. By helping to redress the epistemic injustices of testimonial injustice and hermeneutic injustice, which are endemic in healthcare, qualitative evidence synthesis can support more person-centred practice. Qualitative evidence synthesis can give credence and authority to patients’ perspectives. If synthesis authors make the effort to communicate their findings to the public, this may help to change communication in healthcare settings.