An Alternative for Enhancing Primary Care Medicine: Qualitative Research

Reviews the book, Doing Qualitative Research edited by Benjamin F. Crabtree and William L. Miller (1992). This volume contains the proceedings of a workshop on qualitative methods held at the 1989 meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group. The collection of edited papers focuses on the how-to of qualitative research in the medical specialty of family practice. The objective is to illustrate how those involved in primary care medicine can explore vital research issues that impact family medical practice. The book is the third of six planned volumes dealing with research methods for primary care. The book has several purposes and strengths. Family medicine is growing as a departmental peer within academic structures. One of the offshoots of growing specialization and technical subspecialization within medicine has been concern over the loss of concern for the general practice of medicine and for the personal sense of caring in relationships between treating physicians and patients. This volume is intended to show medical educators and practicing family physicians how qualitative research can be a helpful tool. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)