[Mixed methods studies in the health sciences. A critical map]

[Mixed Methods Studies in Health Services Research: Requirements, Challenges and the Question of Integration - a Discussion Paper from the Perspective of Qualitative Researchers]

With this discussion paper, the subgroup Mixed Methods of the working group Qualitative Research Methods in the non-profit organization German Network Health Services Research (DNVF) is taking up the topic of three previous discussion papers on the significance and potentials of qualitative research methods in health services research. Mixed methods are being increasingly used and demanded in health services research. However, there are also areas of conflict in the planning and implementation of mixed methods studies, and these are addressed in this paper from the perspective of qualitative research. Special attention is given to the aspect of integration as the fundamental signature of mixed methods research. With this discussion paper, our aim was to stimulate critical as well as constructive exchange of ideas on what constitutes high-quality health services research characterised by a diversity of methods and the framework conditions under which this can succeed.

A systematic review of mixed studies on malaria in Colombia 1980-2022: what the "bifocal vision" discovers

Mixed methods are essential in public health research and malaria control, because they allow grasping part of the complexity and diversity of the factors that determine health-disease. This study analyzes the mixed studies on malaria in Colombia, 1980-2022, through a systematic review in 15 databases and institutional repositories. The methodological quality was assessed with Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE), and Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). The qualitative and quantitative findings were grouped into a four-level hierarchical matrix. The epidemiological profile of malaria morbidity, from traditional epidemiology, has been sustained by environmental problems, armed conflict, individual risk behaviors, and low adherence to recommendations from health institutions. However, the qualitative component reveals deeper causes that are less studied, of greater theoretical complexity, and that reflect challenges to design and implement health interventions, such as socioeconomic and political crises, poverty, and the neoliberal orientation in the malaria control policy; the latter reflected in the change in the role of the State, the fragmentation of control actions, the predominance of insurance over social assistance, the privatization of the provision of health services, the individualistic and economistic predominance of health, and low connection with popular tradition and community initiatives. The above confirms the importance of expanding mixed studies as a source of evidence to improve malaria research and control models in Colombia, and to identify the underlying causes of the epidemiological profile.

Systematic Review of Mixed Studies on Malaria in Pregnancy: Individual, Cultural and Socioeconomic Determinants of Its Treatment and Prevention

Malaria in pregnancy (MiP) is a global public health problem; its research is predominantly quantitative. The objective was to analyze the individual, cultural and socioeconomic determinants of the treatment and prevention of MiP with a systematic review of mixed studies (search had no date restriction). Reproducibility and evaluation of the methodological quality were guaranteed. 21 studies were included (20 from Africa). The quantitative component included 7816 pregnant women and 483 health workers. The qualitative component included 800 subjects (pregnant women, health workers, family members and community leaders). The main topics were the use and acceptability of WHO strategies to prevent MiP, individual determinants related with knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and behaviors on MiP, and cultural and socioeconomic barriers for its treatment and prevention. The main determinants of MiP were long distance to the clinic, lack of economic resources, low-coverage antenatal care, few health workers in the communities, drug shortages, cultural rules that prevent women's participation in health issues, and misconceptions about MiP. MiP has determinants related to economic conditions, the structure and functioning of the health system, symbolic and cultural aspects, as well as knowledge, beliefs, perceptions and behavior of pregnant women, which prevent optimal access and use of preventive strategies. This study evidences the importance of intersectional, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary work to prevent MiP.

Status quo palliativmedizinischer Tageskliniken und Tageshospize in Deutschland: Ergebnisse einer gemischt-methodischen Studie

Ziel der Studie Der Bestand von Tageshospizen und palliativmedizinischen Tageskliniken in Deutschland soll erstmals systematisch erhoben und analysiert werden.

Methodik In dieser gemischt-methodischen Studie wurden Einrichtungsleitungen in leitfadengestützten Interviews (06.–07.2020) und standardisierter Fragebogenerhebung (08.–10.2020) zu einrichtungsbezogenen Kriterien befragt. Interviewdaten wurden qualitativ inhaltsanalytisch, quantitative Daten deskriptiv ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse Die Interviews (n = 7) liefern einen Überblick über Organisation und Versorgungsangebot hospizlich-palliativer Tageseinrichtungen. Von 28 standardisiert befragten Einrichtungen waren 13 bereits in Betrieb. Die zumeist an andere Versorger angebundenen Einrichtungen bieten in der Regel zwischen 2 und 8 Tagesplätze an.

Schlussfolgerung Aufgrund der gezeigten Entstehungsdynamik scheint eine systematische Integration der neuen Strukturen in die bestehende Hospiz- und Palliativversorgung sinnvoll.

Onkologische Versorgungsforschung in Deutschland

Neben der prospektiven Versorgungsforschung mit ihrem qualitativen und quantitativen Ansatz sind retrospektive Datenquellen essenziell zur Beurteilung von Prozessen im Gesundheitswesen. In Deutschland ermöglichen strukturelle Veränderungen in den Krebsregistern bzw. die Etablierung neuer Datenquellen interessante Möglichkeiten für die Versorgungsforschung. So wurde mit der Medizininformatik-Initiative eine Vernetzung klinischer Einrichtungen aufgebaut, womit sich schnelle, sektorübergreifende und lebensnahe Analysen realisieren lassen. Durch die Neustrukturierung der Krebsregister sollen bevölkerungsbasierte Erhebungen im onkologischen Bereich vereinfacht und die Detailtreue der Daten erhöht werden. Die Folgen der COVID-19-Pandemie (Coronavirus-Krankheit 2019) im onkologischen Bereich lassen sich dabei über das neu geschaffene Nationale Pandemie Kohorten Netz (NAPKON), ein Zusammenschluss universitärer und nichtuniversitärer Gesundheitsdienstleister, abbilden. Durch die Einbeziehung der Akteure im Gesundheitswesen und unter der Mitwirkung prospektiver Studien lässt sich damit ein umfassendes Bild des onkologischen Versorgungsgeschehens in Deutschland zeichnen.

Adjusting working conditions and evaluating the risk of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic in different workplace settings in Germany: a study protocol for an explorative modular mixed methods approach

INTRODUCTION

Currently, many countries, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, discuss how the 'lockdown-restrictions' could be lifted to restart the economy and public life after the first wave of the COVID-19 disease has subsided. This study protocol describes an approach designed to provide an in-depth understanding of how companies and their employees in Germany deal with their working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are also interested in how and why the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 could vary across different professional activities, company sites and regions with different epidemiological activity or infection control measures in Germany. We expect the results of this study to contribute to the development of working conditions protecting the health of employees during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

An explorative multimodal mixed methods approach will be applied. Module 1 comprises a document analysis of prevailing federal and regional laws and regulations at the respective location of the participating company. Module 2 includes qualitative interviews with key actors at different companies. Module 3 is a repeated standardised employee survey designed to capture potential changes in the participants' experiences and attitudes towards working conditions, occupational safety regulations/measures, and infection control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Module 4 comprises SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence testing. This is carried out by the medical service of the participating company sites as a voluntary offer for employees. Qualitative data will be analysed through document and content analysis. The complexity of the quantitative analysis depends on the response rates of modules 3 and 4.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The approval of the study design was received in June 2020 from the responsible local ethical committee of the Medical Faculty, University of Tübingen and University Hospital Tübingen (No. 423/2020BO). The results will be presented at national and international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

[Mixed-methods studies in the field of health promotion. Results of a systematic review of German publications]

Research in the field of health promotion generates evidence-based knowledge and has the potential to increase the acceptance, impact and long-term effectiveness of interventions. Typically, a distinction is made between qualitative and quantitative approaches. Yet, with complex and multidimensional re-search questions in the field of health promotion a combination of the two approaches has proven useful. Using mixed-methods designs promises, among other things, to compensate for weaknesses of the individual methods, to improve the scope of the results, and to provide a comprehensive insight into the topic. In this systematic review of two German journals we examine the role of the mixed-methods approach in the field of health promotion and how it can be translated into specific research projects. The review's results show that mixed-methods designs are implemented in various contexts. In most studies, the quantitative research strand plays the central role. The use of the mixed-methods designs in health promotion can be further discussed, especially taking into account technical innovations in the field of data collection or with regard to the interpretative potential of qualitative research. The presentation of the review is based on PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) by the Equator Network.

[Living with bandages: a mixed-methods-study on the view of families of children with epidermolysis bullosa]

Living with bandages: a mixed-methods-study on the view of families of children with epidermolysis bullosa Abstract. Background: Children with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) often need new bandages regularly due to sore skin and blistering. Aim: The question about the experiences of parents and children affected by EB with dressing materials is intended to identify starting points for effective support of families. Methods: In the first part of the sequential mixed-methods study, guideline-based interviews were conducted and evaluated with qualitative content analysis. Based on the results, a questionnaire was developed and implemented as an online survey. After analysis with descriptive statistics, these results were combined with the qualitative results. Results: In the "Find out what works" process, the cutting of the materials and the importance of flexibility come to the fore. The parents' confidence in their actions is particularly evident in the application of the bandages and in their knowledge of the materials. The removal of glued dressings is often associated with pain. Dirty bandages are the most common problem in everyday life. Both aspects relate to the wearability of the bandages. When bandages are integrated into everyday family life, the most important role is played by cost absorption and expertise in the organisation. Conclusions: Parents develop specific competences on EB, on their child and dressings. With counselling and education, nursing takes a central function within the multi-professional accompanying interventions to support and relieve families.