The role of qualitative metasynthesis in evidence-based physical therapy

Abstract

Background: Qualitative metasynthesis is a method for systematically identifying, examining, comparing, and interpreting findings from multiple published qualitative studies on specific topics. It has been argued that qualitative metasynthesis may be useful for increasing the transferability of findings from single qualitative studies to broader contexts, in part addressing the limitations of qualitative research regarding its generalizability and thus its application to evidence-based practice.

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to provide an introduction to qualitative metasynthesis, to examine its potential application to physical therapy, and to discuss and debate its strengths and limitations.

Major findings: Only one qualitative metasynthesis appears to have been published in physical therapy journals to date, although many other qualitative metasyntheses potentially relevant to physical therapy (on topics such as neurological, musculoskeletal, and cardiac conditions) have been published in journals intended for interprofessional audiences. Qualitative metasynthesis may be beneficial in terms of its capacity to progress theory related to physical therapy, and as a way of introducing qualitative research into public policy and development of clinical practice. Some challenges exist regarding aspects of qualitative metasynthesis, such as the place of critical appraisal of qualitative studies and the representativeness of findings from qualitative metasyntheses. These challenges continue to be enthusiastically debated.

Conclusion: Uptake of qualitative metasynthesis in journals dedicated to physical therapy has been limited, but physical therapists may find qualitative metasyntheses relevant to their work outside these profession-specific forums. Qualitative metasynthesis may in the future play an important role in the development of physical therapy practice.

Keywords:

• Evidence-based practice
• Qualitative metasynthesis
• Qualitative research
• Physiotherapy