RT09: Putting the Quality in Qualitative Research

Description/Outline: Qualitative research studies provide meaningful data to inform clinical practice. Many physician scientists have minimal exposure to these projects and remain most comfortable with quantitative data. An improved understanding of appropriate qualitative study goals, design of a qualitative interview guide, data collection and analysis will strengthen the urogynecologist's interpretation and application of qualitative research.

In a roundtable format, attendees will have the opportunity to discuss research ideas, share prior qualitative research experience and clarify optimal study methods with one another and the facilitator. The session will benefit trainees as well as faculty members interested in qualitative study methods.

I have led or been part of multiple qualitative studies on a variety of topics and find the collected data to be both rich and informative. I have published two of these studies as first author; my first in Obstetrics & Gynecology in 2021 as an Editors' Pick article, and the second (a multi-center study) in Urogynecology in 2023. In addition I have served as a mentor for fellows qualitative projects and as an advisor for faculty members on their own qualitative studies.