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Strengthening critical appraisal skills for qualitative research in primary health care

ThursdayJuly 2nd11:30 - 12:30242 A

Lieve PEREMANS

Qualitative research provides essential insights into patient experience, health system functioning, and contextual factors shaping clinical work, yet many primary health care professionals feel uncertain about how to assess the methodological quality and relevance of such studies. Limited exposure to formal training in qualitative methods further contributes to difficulty in evaluating the trustworthiness and applicability of qualitative findings. Enhancing appraisal skills is therefore fundamental for fostering research literacy and supporting evidence-informed practice in primary health care.<br>This workshop aims to enable participants to:<br> • Understand key components of qualitative design, including sampling, data collection, and analytic approaches.<br> • Apply a structured critical appraisal framework to judge credibility, dependability, and transferability.<br> • Identify strengths and limitations in published qualitative studies.<br> • Evaluate when qualitative evidence can inform clinical care, teaching, or organisational decisions.Teaching methods:<br> The session uses an interactive, learner-centred design tailored to clinicians, trainees and researchers with varying levels of experience. Methods include a brief introductory presentation, guided small-group appraisal of selected qualitative studies using a structured tool, and facilitated discussions to compare assessments and explore divergent interpretations. The workshop emphasises active participation, peer learning and practical application. Workshop schedule:<br> The 60-minute programme consists of:<br> • Introduction to key concepts (0–10 min)<br> • Small-group critical appraisal activity (10–25 min)<br> • Facilitated discussion and synthesis of criteria (25–45 min)<br> • Application to clinical and educational practice (45–55 min)<br> • Summary and questions (55–60 min)Participants will gain a clearer understanding of methodological quality in qualitative research, increased confidence in applying appraisal criteria, and practical tools for deciding whether qualitative findings are relevant and trustworthy. The skills acquired can be used immediately in clinical work, teaching, supervision, and local quality improvement initiatives.By combining concise theoretical input with structured hands-on analysis, this workshop responds to a recognised need for improved qualitative research literacy in primary health care. It equips participants with transferable appraisal skills that support more rigorous use of qualitative evidence in practice, education, and policy development. Keywords: Qualitative Research; Primary Health Care; Critical Appraisal; Evidence-Based Practice; Research Literacy