Qualitative Research Research Articles

Examining the Effectiveness of Interactive Webtoons for Premature Birth Prevention: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Premature birth poses significant health challenges globally, impacting infants, families, and society. Despite recognition of its contributing factors, efforts to reduce its incidence have seen limited success. A notable gap exists in the awareness among women of childbearing age (WCA) regarding both the risks of premature birth and the preventative measures they can take. Research suggests that enhancing health beliefs and self-management efficacy in WCA could foster preventive health behaviors. Interactive webtoons offer an innovative, cost-effective avenue for delivering engaging, accessible health education aimed at preventing premature birth. This protocol describes a randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of a novel, self-guided, web-based intervention-Pregnancy Story I Didn't Know in Interactive Webtoon Series (PSIDK-iWebtoons)-designed to enhance self-management efficacy and promote behaviors preventing premature birth in WCA. Using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, this study first conducts a quantitative analysis followed by a qualitative inquiry to evaluate outcomes and feasibility. Participants are randomly assigned to 2 groups: one accessing the PSIDK-iWebtoons and the other receiving Pregnancy Story I Didn't Know in Text-Based Information (PSIDK-Texts) over 3 weeks. We measure primary efficacy through the self-management self-efficacy scale for premature birth prevention (PBP), alongside secondary outcomes including perceptions of susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers based on the health belief model for PBP and PBP intention. Additional participant-reported outcomes are assessed at baseline, the postintervention time point, and the 4-week follow-up. The feasibility of the intervention is assessed after the end of the 3-week intervention period. Outcome analysis uses repeated measures ANOVA for quantitative data, while qualitative data are explored through content analysis of interviews with 30 participants. The study received funding in June 2021 and institutional review board approval in October 2023. Both the PSIDK-iWebtoons and PSIDK-Texts interventions have been developed and pilot-tested from July to November 2023, with the main phase of quantitative data collection running from November 2023 to March 2024. Qualitative data collection commenced in February 2024 and will conclude in May 2024. Ongoing analyses include process evaluation and data interpretation. This trial will lay foundational insights into the nexus of interactive web-based interventions and the improvement of knowledge and practices related to PBP among WCA. By demonstrating the efficacy and feasibility of a web-based, interactive educational tool, this study will contribute essential evidence to the discourse on accessible and scientifically robust digital platforms. Positive findings will underscore the importance of such interventions in fostering preventive health behaviors, thereby supporting community-wide efforts to mitigate the risk of premature births through informed self-management practices. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) KCT0008931; https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do?seq=25857. DERR1-10.2196/58326.

North Carolina Caregiver Listening Study: Caregiver Experiences and Perspectives on Services and Supports in an Aging U.S. State

ABSTRACT Family caregivers experience health, financial, and social burdens related to caregiving responsibilities. North Carolina has an estimated 1.3 million caregivers, equating to a value of $13.1 billion per year. Caregiving demands warrant additional understanding of the caregiver lived experiences. Our objective was to document these North Carolina caregiver experiences during the era of COVID-19 through focus groups. Participants were recruited through diverse community organizations. All 44 caregivers who completed interest solicitation surveys were invited to participate; 29 caregivers participated across 11 groups. Thematic analysis was used to code and synthesize transcripts from each participant using Dedoose software and guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). Caregiver routines (caregiving as an all-encompassing role; dimensions of support); most challenging parts (exhaustion and defeat; lacking support; evolving relationships); most rewarding parts (care recipient resilience; quality time; sense of purpose); social service and healthcare system interactions (positive interactions; negative interactions; inaccessible services); COVID-19 impacts on caregiving (opportunities; challenges); and caregiver suggestions for system improvements (increasing financial support; improved coordination; ideological shifts). Caregivers shared unmet needs, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Examining these needs and experience-informed recommendations can help advance additional caregiving research, policy-making, and program development.

Anti-unmanned aerial vehicle detection system for airports: aviation and national security perspective

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles gained significant popularity in the last decade as demonstrated by their wide usage in various fields. From around the year 2001, the usage of unmanned aerial vehicles’ technology was mainly confined to law enforcement agencies such as the military, police, and customs. In the contemporary, terrorists have also been observed to be using unmanned aerial vehicles to attack aviation facilities. The current paper examines the levels of vulnerability of the Namibian airports to possible intrusion and attack from unmanned aerial vehicles, a situation that could pose a serious threat to aviation and national security. Adopting a qualitative research approach, the study made use of a questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide to collect primary data from the participants. Microsoft Excel was used to analyse the data. The study establishes that Namibian airports are prone to attacks from unmanned aerial vehicles as there are no anti-unmanned aerial vehicle detection systems installed at all airports in the country. Thus, there is clear evidence that the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority and the Namibian Airport Company’s regulations and policies on aviation safety and security did not prioritise the installation of anti-unmanned aerial vehicle detection systems at all airports in Namibia. The paper suggests that, in order to enhance aviation safety and security, a joint civil/military Information Technology Unit, responsible for spoofing, detection, and the monitoring of illicit unmanned aerial vehicle operations should be set up and operations activated at all airports and other public infrastructures in Namibia.

Perceptions of vision care following neurological impairment: a qualitative study

BackgroundVisual impairment is a common consequence of neurological impairments, and can impact a person’s ability to undertake everyday tasks, affecting their confidence and mental health. Previous qualitative research in the UK has shown inequalities to exist where patients are accessing vision care after stroke, but little is known around the experiences of accessing vision care following other neurological impairments, and a lack of national guidelines prevent standardised care planning. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the perceptions of vision care after neurological impairment, and to identify possible inequalities and support mechanisms, where it has been possible to access vision care.MethodsUniversity ethical approval was obtained, and adults with a visual impairment as a result of a neurological impairment were offered an in-depth interview to explore their vision care experiences. Data were collected between April and November 2021 and analysed using iterative, thematic analysis (TA), informed by a social constructionist ideology.ResultsSeventeen participants were recruited. Three overarching themes were conceptualised in relation to the participants’ perception of vision care: Making sense of the visual impairment; The responsibility of vision care; and Influential factors in care quality perception.ConclusionInequalities were noted by participants, with most reporting a lack of suitable vision care offered as part of their neurological rehabilitation. Participants were thus burdened with the task of seeking their own support online, and encountered inaccurate and worrying information in the process. Participants noted changes in their identity, and the identity of their family carers, as they adjusted to their vision loss. The findings from this research highlight a need for clinicians to consider the long-term impact of vision loss after neurological impairment, and ensure patients are provided with adequate support and information, and appropriate referral pathways, alleviating this patient burden.

The patient experience of a postpartum readmission for hypertension: a qualitative study

BackgroundHypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are the most common cause of postpartum readmission. Prior research led to clinical guidelines for postpartum management; however, the patient experience is often missing from this work. The objective of this study is to understand the perspective of patients readmitted for postpartum hypertension.MethodsThis was a qualitative study with data generated through semi-structured interviews. Patients readmitted with postpartum HDP at an urban academic medical center from February to December 2022 were approached and consented for an interview. The same researcher conducted all interviews and patient recruitment continued until thematic saturation was reached (n = 9). Two coders coded all interviews using Nvivo software with both deductive and inductive coding processes. Discrepancies were discussed and resolved with consensus among the two coders. Themes were identified through an initial a priori template of codes which were expanded upon using grounded theory, and researchers were reflexive in their thematic generation.ResultsSix themes were generated: every pregnancy is different, symptoms of preeclampsia are easily dismissed or minimized by both patient and providers, miscommunication regarding medical changes can increase the risk of readmissions, postpartum care coordination and readmission logistics at our hospital could be improved to facilitate caring for a newborn, postpartum care is often considered separately from the rest of pregnancy, and patient well-being improved when conversations acknowledged the struggles of readmission.ConclusionsThis qualitative research study revealed patient-identified gaps in care that may have led to readmission for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The specific recommendations that emerge from these themes include addressing barriers to blood pressure management prior to discharge, improving postpartum discharge follow-up, providing newborn care coordination, and improving counseling on the risk of postpartum preeclampsia during discharge. Incorporating these patient perspectives in hospital discharge policy can be helpful in creating patient-centered systems of care and may help reduce rates of readmission.

“In-betweeners”: The brokering work of frontline workers during the New Zealand mycoplasma bovis outbreak

This article explores the brokering work performed by frontline workers during the recent New Zealand Mycoplasma bovis biosecurity outbreak and the subsequent eradication programme. The parent programme of study utilised a qualitative research design within a pragmatic orientation, and the dataset supporting this article comprised a subset of individual and group interviews conducted with fifteen frontline workers. The analysis indicates that in the process of meeting their various operational briefs, frontline workers brokered knowledge and information, resources and materials, and relationships for the benefit of their clients. Their brokering work mitigated the limitations of the intervention’s infrastructure and also mitigated dysfunction among stakeholder organisations. The embeddedness of frontline workers within their local communities meant that they already had credibility that worked to the advantage of the eradication programme. Participant accounts support the existence of a boundary space on the frontline of the M. bovis invention that, despite an overarching common purpose, was characterised by instability, chaos, and flux. The position of frontline workers as being ‘in-between’ their clientele (farmers impacted by M. bovis) and their employers conferred ambiguous status. Nevertheless, their accounts indicate that their brokering work improved the efficiency of the M. bovis eradication programme, and we suggest that organisations responsible for biosecurity can increase the effectiveness of future incursions by recognising, valuing, and supporting the brokering roles conducted by frontline workers.

Exploring the significant problems confronting secondary schools history education: a baseline study

The purpose of this baseline study is to determine the significant problems confronting history education in secondary school. The researchers employed qualitative research methods and case study design. The techniques that were employed to acquire credible data were document analysis, interviews, and classroom observation. Six experienced history education teachers and eight top-ten students from Sebeta town public secondary school were interviewed, and academic achievement statistics of 174 students in history education were analyzed. In addition eight lesson observations were carried out to validate the information gleaned from the interviews and document analysis. The study's findings show that the primary challenges influencing history education in Sebeta town public secondary schools were teaching strategy, a lack of awareness about implementing participatory teaching methods, a lack of comprehensiveness of the contents of history education teaching materials, and the issue of the bulkiness and scope of history education texts being covered on time. The findings also indicate the significance of training history education teachers to use participatory teaching tactics, as well as the need for curriculum experts to better coordinate the range of history education content and teaching strategies. The findings of this study will help teachers, practitioners, scholars, policymakers, and educational professionals find solutions to significant problems in secondary school history education, as well as develop effective techniques for teaching history education in secondary schools that involve twenty-first century skills and abilities.

Social Workers’ Experiences Navigating Barriers for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care in the US Virgin Islands

Social workers working with foster youth aging out of placement often experience barriers in referring such youth to housing, mental health, and other services. This qualitative research study explored service barriers social workers encountered while working with their foster clients aging out of placement in the US Virgin Islands. Data collection consisted of narrative interviews with social workers from a single government agency. Social workers (n = 6) from the islands of St. Croix and St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, discussed the challenges they encountered while working with their foster clients aging out of placement. Participants identified the following barriers to services: lack of family support/community involvement, lack of housing, youths’ lack of intellectual capacity/independent living skills, lack of training/employment opportunities for youth, services not suited for adolescents, and lack of funding. These findings may inform targets for future intervention and influence the foster care system to provide more supportive resources to social workers and clients. Practitioners and policymakers should consider implementing further practices that promote positive development for these youth and reduce the number of adolescents aging out of the foster care system without supportive resources.

Exploring the public's beliefs, emotions and sentiments towards the adoption of the metaverse in education: A qualitative inquiry using big data

AbstractThe metaverse is rapidly reshaping our understanding of education, yet identifying the public's beliefs, emotions and sentiments towards its adoption in education remains largely uncharted empirically. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Digital Diffusion Theory (DOI), this paper aims to fill this gap using a big‐data approach and machine learning to scrape comments made by social media users on recent popular posts or videos related to adopting the metaverse in education from three prominent social media platforms. The cleaning process narrowed down 11,024 comments to 4277, then analysed them using thematic, emotion and sentiment analysis techniques. The thematic analysis revealed that adopting the metaverse in education evokes a complex range of public beliefs: (1) innovative learning methods; (2) accessibility and inclusion; (3) concerns about quality and effectiveness; (4) technological challenges and the digital divide; (5) the future of work and skills; and (6) privacy and security concerns. Integrating these themes with emotion and sentiment analyses reveals a landscape of a significant portion of neutral sentiments that corroborates enthusiasm attenuated by caution. This careful consideration stresses the urgent need for a balanced approach to adopting the metaverse in education to ensure that resulting educational advancements benefit all learners equitably. As one of the first studies to offer a multidimensional view of the public's beliefs about metaverse education using big data, this research not only contributes to TAM and DOI but also provides critical insights that could inform policy, enhance educational practices and guide future scholarship in this emerging field.

An investigation into the acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, and fidelity of implementation strategies for birth companionship in Tehran: a qualitative inquiry on mitigating mistreatment of women during childbirth

BackgroundA birth companion is a powerful mechanism for preventing mistreatment during childbirth and is a key component of respectful maternity care (RMC). Despite a growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of birth companions in enhancing the quality of care and birth experience, the successful implementation of this practice continues to be a challenge, particularly in developing countries. Our aim was to investigate the acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, and fidelity of implementation strategies for birth companions to mitigate the mistreatment of women during childbirth in Tehran.MethodsThis exploratory descriptive qualitative study was conducted between April and August 2023 at Valiasr Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Fifty-two face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of women, birth companions, and maternity healthcare providers. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis, with a deductive approach based on the Implementation Outcomes Framework in the MAXQDA 18.ResultsParticipants found the implemented program to be acceptable and beneficial, however the implementation team noticed that some healthcare providers were initially reluctant to support it and perceived it as an additional burden. However, its adoption has increased over time. Healthcare providers felt that the program was appropriate and feasible, and it improved satisfaction with care and the birth experience. Participants, however, highlighted several issues that need to be addressed. These include the need for training birth companions prior to entering the maternity hospital, informing women about the role of birth companions, assigning a dedicated midwife to provide training, and addressing any physical infrastructure concerns.ConclusionDespite some issues raised by the participants, the acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, and fidelity of the implementation strategies for birth companions to mitigate the mistreatment of women during childbirth were well received. Future research should explore the sustainability of this program. The findings of this study can be used to support the implementation of birth companions in countries with comparable circumstances.

Book review: Qualitative research in education: a review for physics education and other sub-sciences

Book review: Qualitative research in education: a review for physics education and other sub-sciences

Mapping Trends on Employee Performance and Work Environment: A Bibliometric Analysis

Employee performance and work environment are two key elements in the success of an organization. The relationship between employee performance and the work environment has become a major focus for many organizations to improve productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall organizational performance. This study aims to determine the development of research with the theme Employee Performance and Work Environment in the range of 2014 to 2023 through the help of the Vosviewers application in visualizing data. The method used in this study is qualitative research with a literature study approach. As for the data found, 98 documents were obtained and analyzed. These datasets are converted to CSV format, BibTeX, and RIS format and imported into bibliophilia for bibliometrics and analysis. The results showed that 2023 is the year with the highest number of publications on the topic of Employee Performance and Work Environment. Indonesia is the country that influences scientific publications the most. Samani, S.A. is the most prolific writer with 3 documents in the field of Employee Performance and Work Environment. Great potential for further research in areas such as Compensation, leadership, training, work-life balance, and work engagement, which still has the potential to be explored more deeply in the context of Employee Performance and Work Environment.

STUDI KUALITATIF PENGALAMAN IBU DROP OUT ALAT KONTRASEPSI DI MASA PANDEMI COVID-19

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions in the health care system, particularly in reproductive health services that focus on family planning services. The emergence of the policy of limiting social behavior and physical distancing has led to behavioral changes in female family planning acceptors during the pandemic. The disruption of the family planning service system has caused an increase in the incidence of drop out of contraceptives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this research to identify about the experience and reasons for mothers to drop out of contraceptives during the COVID-19 pandemic. This method of research is qualitative research used a phenomenological approach. Result: The experience of mothers dropping out of contraceptives during the COVID-19 pandemic varied, and the reasons for mothers to drop out of contraceptives included being worried and afraid of contracting COVID-19, low knowledge of mothers about contraceptives. Conclusion: Feelings of worry and fear of contracting COVID-19 are the main reasons for mothers to drop out of contraceptives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, providing comprehensive family planning services and monitoring for repeat visits to family planning acceptors are the main focus and special attention.

The Concerns of Community-Dwelling Older Women Living with Urinary Incontinence: Qualitative Research.

The world including Iran is facing population aging. Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most common health concerns of older women that can be accompanied by an increased sense of loneliness, social restrictions, and disruption in activities of daily living in addition to the regular challenges of old age. This study was aimed at explaining the concerns of community-dwelling older women living with UI. This study used the conventional, qualitative, content analysis approach with purposive sampling. Twenty interviews were conducted with 18 participants, including 15 community-dwelling older women with UI and three family members (a husband and two daughters), over the span of 14months (from August 2021 to October 2022). The data were collected via semi-structured, face-to-face interviews until data saturation was achieved, and were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's method. The findings revealed that the concerns of older women with UI include the impasse of UI, being powerless in life, distorted social identity, and marital frustration, which fell under the main theme of sense of inadequacy. Recognizing the concerns of older women with UI can make health care teams more sensitive to the importance of resolving these concerns and can offer some insight into how best to provide targeted training, support, and counseling services at individual, family, and society levels, to eventually resolve the older adult's sense of inadequacy.

A grasp of police research: characteristics of empirical research on police careers based on multiple scoping reviews

PurposeThis article provides an overview of the literature characteristics of empirical research on topics related to police careers from 2000 to 2021. Methodology, distribution in time and space and types of publication are presented. Recommendations for new research avenues are given.Design/methodology/approachEight scoping reviews on specific topics were carried out by criminology students under the close guidance and supervision of the first author, an academic researcher. The reviews followed the same procedure, enabling an overarching reflection.FindingsThe scoping reviews resulted in 179 unique publications for analysis. It appears that the topic of police professional competencies is studied more often in the field of police careers (n = 55), in contrast to informal learning in police training (n = 4) which was studied the least frequently. Since 2012, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of publications. Publications in scientific journals are by far the most common (n = 153), as is a quantitative research design (n = 123). All topics have been studied in Europe and North America.Research limitations/implicationsMore qualitative research and international dissemination of empirical results are recommended to gain a deeper understanding of police careers. As for the limitations, specific topics were selected, which limits the scope of the findings. Working with students for data collection has its benefits in terms of workload, but comes with potential limitations in terms of quality. It is recommended to conduct a screening using the four-eyed principle, as was done here by the first and second authors. Additionally, the review protocol (e.g. keywords and databases) has an influence on the outcome. Different choices may lead to different results.Originality/valueA comprehensive analysis of police career literature is made based on eight scoping reviews that followed the same procedure. It allows to study the literature in a broad sense rather than studying one topic in depth.

I am Afraid I Will Not Be Able to Walk, That is What Worries Me—The Experience of Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis before Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Qualitative Study

Knee osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of osteoarthritis. Patients frequently encounter pain triggered by movement that evolves into impaired joint function. Needing persistent rest or having night-time pain signifies advanced disease. Qualitative research is considered the most effective method for comprehending patients’ needs and contexts. Methods: This study employed a qualitative research design, allowing the researchers to acquire insights into the patients’ beliefs and values, and the contextual factors influencing the formation and expression of these beliefs and values. Results: A cohort of nine patients awaiting total knee replacement (TKR) surgery was included and they were interviewed until data saturation was achieved. The results of the phenomenological analysis resulted in the identification of three themes: “The existence of pain impedes the capacity to participate in daily life activities”; “TKR induced fears and uncertainties regarding the progression of the disease”; “Severe nighttime pain compromising sleep quality”. Conclusions: This study analyzes the experiences of people awaiting TKR surgery, emphasizing the importance of addressing their unique needs to improve preoperative education and rehabilitation. In this way, patients’ recovery during the postoperative phase can be improved.

LOOKING INTO THE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP OF MASTER TEACHERS DURING THE IN-PERSON CLASSES: A PHENOMENOLOGY

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to explore and understand the views and perceptions of Master Teachers as educational leaders during in-person classes in the elementary and secondary schools of the Division of Davao de Oro. The study was gleaned from the Contingency Theory and Path-Goal Theory. The research design employed in this study is a qualitative phenomenological design. Purposive sampling was used in selecting the participants, who are Master teachers in the elementary and secondary schools of Davao De Oro. There were fourteen (14) Master teachers, seven (7) for in-depth interview and seven (7) for focus group discussion. Results of the participants’ experiences mainly include managing curriculum implementation, facilitating pedagogical development, encountering difficulties as master teacher, and engaging support for professional growth. Participants also shared that they handled the situation by carrying out effective instructional leadership, being provided with support, and implementing strategies in new setup. Apart from other findings, possessing skills as instructional leader is one of the solutions to continue one’s educational leader role during in-person classes. It is also recommended to research further about the experiences of teachers as school-in-charge as another angle to be seen along with how they coped with the struggles in handling both instruction and administration tasks during in-person classes. KEYWORDS: In-person classes, educational leader, Master teachers, qualitative phenomenological inquiry

Student Assessment in Formal Education: Nepali Community School Teachers’ Perspectives

The present secondary level English curriculum of Grade 9 and 10 in Nepal has made the provision of 25 marks internal assessment system as part of summative evaluation. In this context, this study examines the existing internal assessment practices adopted by the English language teachers in the Secondary Education Examination of the community schools in Nepal. Employing the qualitative phenomenological research design, five secondary level English language teachers were selected purposively as research participants. Semi-structured interviews and participant observation were used as tools for collecting data. The data were analyzed inductively as content analysis using the internal assessment criteria of participation, listening, speaking, and score from terminal examinations as determined by the curriculum as part of summative evaluation. The result was interpreted through the perspective of Vygotsky’s (1978) zone of proximal development and the theory of scaffolding in relation to the assessment for learning, assessment as learning, and assessment of learning. The prominence of assessment of learning as the dominant practice has resulted in the marginalization of the other two purposes of assessment. The findings of the study highlight the need for a more balanced approach that encompasses assessment for learning and assessment as learning, ensuring a comprehensive and holistic evaluation of students’ progress and development.

Co-Creating a Seniors’ Meeting Place: A Prototype Pop-Up Installation on a Popowice Housing Estate in Wrocław, Poland

Citizens worldwide are increasingly engaged in co-creation processes. It can be applied to meet the needs of seniors regarding their living arrangements or activities in public spaces. This article presents a fragment of research aimed at identifying problems and needs faced by older adults (aged 65 and older) in the Popowice neighborhood in Wrocław, Poland, and co-creating solutions with them. Using the co-creation method—both qualitative and quantitative research—a series of activities were conducted (workshops, interviews, surveys) during five phases of the Living Lab, culminating in the creation of a physical prototype. Intervention through a physical prototype allowed for verifying the validity of the conclusions drawn in the earlier part of the study, serving as an activator and accelerator of neighborhood life. The research suggests that the co-creation process and the prototype can influence the social activity of seniors. Recommendations for future co-design processes with older people include establishing relationships with stakeholders and beneficiaries, which is essential for the success of co-creation projects, and involving participants in directly creating solutions to increase their engagement and willingness to collaborate. In the face of aging societies, co-creation can be a useful method for creating tailored solutions to meet users’ needs.

Patient medication management, understanding and adherence during the transition from hospital to outpatient care - a qualitative longitudinal study in polymorbid patients with type 2 diabetes

BackgroundContinuity of care is under great pressure during the transition from hospital to outpatient care. Medication changes during hospitalization may be poorly communicated and understood, compromising patient safety during the transition from hospital to home. The main aims of this study were to investigate the perspectives of patients with type 2 diabetes and multimorbidities on their medications from hospital discharge to outpatient care, and their healthcare journey through the outpatient healthcare system. In this article, we present the results focusing on patients’ perspectives of their medications from hospital to two months after discharge.MethodsPatients with type 2 diabetes, with at least two comorbidities and who returned home after discharge, were recruited during their hospitalization. A descriptive qualitative longitudinal research approach was adopted, with four in-depth semi-structured interviews per participant over a period of two months after discharge. Interviews were based on semi-structured guides, transcribed verbatim, and a thematic analysis was conducted.ResultsTwenty-one participants were included from October 2020 to July 2021. Seventy-five interviews were conducted. Three main themes were identified: (A) Medication management, (B) Medication understanding, and (C) Medication adherence, during three periods: (1) Hospitalization, (2) Care transition, and (3) Outpatient care. Participants had varying levels of need for medication information and involvement in medication management during hospitalization and in outpatient care. The transition from hospital to autonomous medication management was difficult for most participants, who quickly returned to their routines with some participants experiencing difficulties in medication adherence.ConclusionsThe transition from hospital to outpatient care is a challenging process during which discharged patients are vulnerable and are willing to take steps to better manage, understand, and adhere to their medications. The resulting tension between patients’ difficulties with their medications and lack of standardized healthcare support calls for interprofessional guidelines to better address patients’ needs, increase their safety, and standardize physicians’, pharmacists’, and nurses’ roles and responsibilities.