Qualitative research in medicine and health care: questions and controversy.

摘要: Qualitative research is becoming more prominent in medicine. It still not clear how it can address either clinical or biopsychosocial questions. Methodologic standards and guidelines for qualitative medicine health care remain too sketchy to help one evaluate a study critically. Alternatives addressing complex real-life questions quantitatively exist. Until better become available, we urge caution about using evidence from studies. Developments of such are perhaps being hindered by continuing controversies among advocates whether truth exists independent its observer, bias should be eliminated, disclosed, actively encouraged. These undermine the credibility services audiences.