Rigorous, robust and systematic: Qualitative research and its contribution to burn care. An integrative review. Issue 8 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kornhaber, Rachel Anne; de Jong, A.E.E.; McLean, L.
• Is Part Of: Burns. Volume 41:Issue 8(2015)
• Page Start: 1619
• Page End: 1626
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Qualitative research -- Burns -- Nursing -- Integrative review; Burns and scalds -- Periodicals; 617.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2015.04.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-4179

Abstract

Highlights: Qualitative research methodologies are rigorous, robust and systematic. Qualitative methods are progressively being implemented for exploration of burn care. Qualitative research captures the essence of burn care contributing to new knowledge. There is a wide scope of research that is informed by qualitative methods within burns. Abstract: Qualitative methods are progressively being implemented by researchers for exploration within healthcare. However, there has been a longstanding and wide-ranging debate concerning the relative merits of qualitative research within the health care literature. This integrative review aimed to exam the contribution of qualitative research in burns care and subsequent rehabilitation. Studies were identified using an electronic search strategy using the databases PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE) and Scopus of peer reviewed primary research in English between 2009 to April 2014 using Whittemore and Knafl's integrative review method as a guide for analysis. From the 298 papers identified, 26 research papers met the inclusion criteria. Across all studies there was an average of 22 participants involved in each study with a range of 6–53 participants conducted across 12 nations that focussed on burns prevention, paediatric burns, appropriate acquisition and delivery of burns care, pain and psychosocial implications of burns trauma. Careful and rigorous application of qualitative methodologies promotes and enriches the development of burns knowledge. In particular, the key elements in qualitative methodological process and its publication are critical in disseminating credible and methodologically sound qualitative research.