Study | Qualitative method (methodology given if identified) | Participants | Sampling and setting | Data collection, study aims and analysis |
1) Ahlström (2007) | Semi-structured interviews | 15 (?♂) patients with MS Sub-types No type break down Mean age: 51 years Age range: 29 - 60 years Mean time with illness: not given Mean time until diagnosis: not given | Sampling: purposive Eligibility: a) severe disease or injury; b) aged between 18-64; c) had received personal assistance in their daily lives; d) marked intellectual functional impairment and aphasia were excluded Setting: Two interviews in the patients home Study geographical location: Sweden | Data collection tool: semi-structured interview guide. Interview 1 considered falling ill, problems in daily living and family situation. Interview 2 repeated this and also included integrity, autonomy, participation in the events of daily living. Study Aim: “The aim of the study is twofold: i) to describe the losses of persons severely afflicted with chronic illness and who therefore, may experience chronic sorrow; and ii) to identify meaningful underlying patterns related to these losses in the form of chronic sorrow through an abductive approach to analysis.” (page 77) Average interview time: not given Interview time range: not given Analysis: abductive approach (both inductive and deductive) |
2) Barker-Collo et al. (2006) | Semi-structured interviews | 16 (5♂) patients with MS Sub-types 8 PP 8 RR Mean age: 56 years Age range: 27 - 72 years Mean time with illness: 6 years Mean time until diagnosis: not given | Sampling: purposive Eligibility: a) received diagnosis of Ms either <5 years ago or >15 years ago, b) Setting: Participants homes Study geographical location: New Zealand | Data collection tool: Questions identified: 1) events leading to diagnosis and what happened following the events 2) what impact multiple sclerosis had on their lives Study Aim: “explore participants’ pre-diagnosistic and diagnosis experiences as well as the implications of living with the disease” (page 436) Average interview time: not given Interview time range: 1 - 2 hours Analysis: Thematic analysis |
3) Boeije (2002) | Case study | 1 (1♂) patients with MS Sub-type Not given Mean age: not given Age range: not given Mean time with illness: not given Mean time until diagnosis: not given | Sampling: purposive Eligibility: (a) diagnosis with MS Setting: not given Study geographical location: Holland | Data collection tool: Consider the experience of multiple sclerosis Study Aim: Consider the experience of multiple sclerosis Average interview time: Interview time range: Analysis: Constant comparison approach |
4) Boland et al. (2012) | IPA | 7 (3♂) patients with MS Sub-types: 3 PP 3 RR 1 SP Mean age: not given. Median: 53 years Age range: 35 - 70 years Mean time with illness: not given. Median = 10 years Mean time until diagnosis: not given. | Sampling: purposive Eligibility: a) diagnosed with MS for >2 years, b) speak English, c) have a significant other who would participate in interviews, d) previously worked with the primary author, e) were experiencing emotional or social crisis. Setting: not clear. Study geographical location: New Zealand | Data collection tool: semi-structured interview guide. Questions considered the patients coping approach, whether these had changed over time, o = and how coping may change in the future. Study Aim: “to gain a more in-depth understanding of how couples cope as a dyad when one of them has MS” (page 1368) Average interview time: not given Interview time range: not given Analysis: IPA |
5) Boys and Mac Millian (2005) | Phenomenological approach | 12 (5♂) patients with MS Sub-types: Not given Mean age: not given Age range: 8 - 18 years Mean time with illness: not given. Mean time until diagnosis: not given | Sampling: purposive Eligibility: (a) children aged between 1 and 18 years diagnosed with MS Setting: not given Study geographical location: Canada | Data collection tool: semi-structured interview guide. Guide focused on the patients’ thoughts and feelings about MS, what effect MS has had on their lifestyle, future relationships and stress and their ability to cope and advice they would give to others. Study Aim: Consider the experiences of children and adolescents who have MS Average interview time: not given Interview time range: not given Analysis: narrative analysis |