patients are no different that the psychosocial needs of any patients
with a severe organic disease.
Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2011 Jul 8:1-9. [Epub ahead of print]
Multi-source synthesis of data to inform health policy.
Pedersen VH, Dagenais P, Lehoux P.
King's College London.
Abstract
Objectives: To propose a new method for comparing and integrating
original qualitative data with systematic reviews of quantitative and
qualitative studies, demonstrated by a study of the psychosocial needs
of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) sufferers in Qu=E9bec.
Methods: A systematic literature review was performed across various
databases for English and French language studies, on the psychosocial
aspects of CFS. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method studies
published between January 1994 and July 2008 were included.
Unpublished literature and reference lists of included studies were
also searched. Themes identified in the literature were used to guide
semi-structured interviews with seventeen CFS-sufferers, mostly
recruited from a large specialist practice in Montreal. Interviews
were transcribed verbatim and validated by a research assistant.
Transcripts were coded using the identified themes. New codes were
created when new issues arose. All themes were subsequently
synthesized into overall categories using a constant comparative
method.
Results: The literature search yielded thirty-one papers: twenty-eight
primary studies and three systematic reviews. Twelve themes were
identified and synthesized into four overall problem categories, such
as "Lack of professional recognition." Interviews confirmed findings
from the literature, but also revealed unidentified needs specific to
CFS-sufferers in Qu=E9bec. Policy recommendations were provided to
address these needs.
Conclusions: Multi-Source Synthesis provides a systematic method for
synthesizing data from original studies with literature findings,
thereby broadening the knowledge base and the local relevance of
decisions concerning specific patient populations.
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