Gaining insight into patients’ beliefs using qualitative research methodologies

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Abstract
Qualitative research is a rigorous inductive approach to data collection and data interpretation used to describe patients' perspectives and behaviors. Qualitative research can also be used to develop hypotheses to be tested with quantitative procedures. Combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies can provide more-comprehensive explanations for health actions and beliefs than can be derived from either approach alone. This review serves as a primer for those health care professionals who are unfamiliar with this alternative research paradigm. We will explore the similarities and differences between quantitative and qualitative techniques and describe how focus groups allowed us an enhanced appreciation of the reasons for poor inhaled-corticosteroid adherence in low-income African-American patients with persistent asthma. As populations become more diverse, providers are under increased pressure to effectively communicate and partner with their patients. Qualitative research offers the practitioner a roadmap for enhanced understanding of the unique experiences of patients, thus promoting quality patient-provider relationships.