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