The Qualitative Research Commission of IDIAPJGol and the CSC presents the methodological challenges of the EquityCancer-LA project in Quito.

This body is a learning space in qualitative research methodology aimed at healthcare and social services professionals and researchers, allowing the exchange of experiences and knowledge for the analysis of issues such as community health, clinical trials, or access to health services.

During the last meeting of the Qualitative Health Research Commission of IDIAPJGol and the Health and Social Consortium of Catalonia (CSC), methodological challenges were presented to develop a qualitative study to analyse access to cancer diagnosis in health services in Quito (Ecuador). This study is part of the EquityCancer-LA research project, led by the CSC, which aims to assess, using a participatory approach, the effectiveness of a multicomponent integrated care intervention to improve early cancer diagnosis in the public health service networks of Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador.

The Commission is a learning space in qualitative research methodology for healthcare and social services professionals, researchers, and collaborating entities. This space is a platform for sharing experiences and knowledge for the analysis of issues such as community health, clinical trials, or access to health services.

A positive assessment of the 2023 edition

Following the trend of recent years, the 2023 Commission meetings have maintained a good level of participation and have covered a wide range of areas and topics. Over the past year, experiences of qualitative evaluation of community health programs were presented, and the role of qualitative methods in clinical trial evaluation has was discussed. The use of photo-elicitation to analyse the emotional health of adolescents and photovoice as a qualitative technique to understand the experience of living with endometriosis was also presented.

Commission members and participants have highlighted the dynamic nature of the sessions, the interest generated in the discussions, and the quality and diversity of the presentations. This assessment was carried out using qualitative techniques and an online survey.

Users suggested that the hybrid participation model and the working method should be maintained for 2024. They have suggested topics for this year, such as triangulation in mixed methods studies and the perspectives and techniques to be considered in organising this year's sessions.

What to expect in 2024

The Commission will continue working to contribute to the development of knowledge and skills in qualitative research for healthcare professionals. The mission to promote synergies and add experiences between professionals will be maintained. For 2024, the Commission aims to increase the participation of healthcare and social care professionals from across the territory engaged in research activities, especially in the municipal and primary care setting.

The coordination of the space is led by Aida Oliver Anglès from the Service of Studies and Prospectives in Health Policies (SEPPS) of the CSC, along with Constanza Jacques Aviñó and Laura Medina Perucha from IDIAPJGol. The Commission will meet again on February 21 in a session organised by IDIAPJGol, focusing on the persistent effects of COVID-19 and narrative analysis of discourse. In this upcoming session, the results of the 2023 evaluation survey will also be presented.

The Qualitative Research Commission encourages all interested professionals, regardless of their expertise, to participate in learning about  this research methodology. If you are interested in joining the commission and attending its meetings, you can register by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..