Qualitative research methods have recently started to gain popularity in social and health sciences for determining a more holistic view of peoples' perceptions about health. Focus group discussions are frequently used to obtain perspectives and attitudes of people about issues, seek explanations for behavior, triangulate data obtained through other qualitative methods and generate hypotheses. To facilitate clinicians to comprehend the use of focus group methodology in the clinical field, the meaning, purpose, advantages, limitations and quality assurance measures of focus group discussions are described. The general requirements and the method for conducting focus groups are briefly explained. In addition, key issues that could be addressed by focus group methodology have also been highlighted.
Quantitative methods have been widely used because of the fact that things that can be measured or counted gain scientific credibility over the unmeasurable. But the extent of biological abnormality, severity, consequences and the impact of illness cannot be satisfactorily captured and answered by the quantitative research alone. In such situations qualitative methods take a holistic perspective preserving the complexities of human behavior by addressing the "why" and "how" questions. In this paper an attempt has been made to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of both the methods and also that a balanced mix of both qualitative as well as quantitative methods yield the most valid and reliable results.
HighlightsInflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, most common involvement is seen in the lungs, but in this case liver gallbladder, pylorus, 1st part of duodenum was involved.Most specific feature of IMTs, whose main cell type is myofibroblasts, is the ability to mimic malignancy.Surgery is the main treatment.
A case of recurrent endocarditis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, a rare cause of endocarditis, is reported. The first episode of infection resulted in valvular damage, necessitating replacement of the aortic and mitral valves, and the second episode was treated successfully with antibiotics alone. Recurrence occurred even though the organism was fully susceptible to the antibiotics used and the patient showed no evidence of immune deficiency.
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