Author: Sana Rehman
This
qualitative research is about the attitudes and approaches towards the vaginal
atrophy when there is menopause in females and they have to face vaginal
atrophy. The results were collected from the focus groups discussion of multicultural settings. These focus groups were composed of females who were experiencing
vaginal atrophy after menopause and the results were collected based on
personality types and the psychological factors. The study findings depicted that the responses and treatment concern for vaginal atrophy among females depends upon personality types (Utian
& Maamari, 2014). The Following steps would highlight ''How to write critical appraisal for qualitative study''.
Steps of the Research Process
The purpose of the research was to collect the responses from females towards the vaginal atrophy after menopause. The focus groups discussion comprised on three-four hours and maximum 3-5 women have been a part of this focus groups. Hence, the research method for this study was the preference of focus groups to obtained the in-depth information. After FGD's, the results were presented considering the personality types of females. It was found out that those females who had individualism and stongth decision making power had taken the treatment for vaginal atrophy. In contrast those women who were submissive and had instincts of belongingness were not provided with any treatments. Their health care physicians satisfied them that vaginal atrophy is a part of aging and requires no treatment. However, it was concluded at the end of the research that the responses and approach for treatment to vaginal atrophy was based on the personality types. The findings of the study will help thefthe to understand how their personality types are interlinked with their perception towards health.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Qualitative Research
Congruency between the research questions and the research methodologies is the strength of good research (Lockwood, Munn & Porritt, 2015). This research has a good congruency because the research question is well explained with the help of the results collected during the focus group studies. The other strengths of this study are to make the females aware that vaginal atrophy is a medical condition and they need to take it seriously. They must see a doctor and if they are facing any severe or mild difficulty, they need to tell the doctor or their health care provider. Another strength of this research is the selection of focus groups at international level which shows that this problem prevails all around the world and females face and combat this issue according to the personality types. The research can make them stimulated to have awareness about this topic and to address this issue with the wise approach. This is so because they have all the rights to talk about their physical issues and must not hide or ignore such issues. The study is also important because all the females in the world have to pass through a phase of menopause and then they develop certain changes in their bodies and vaginal atrophy is one of them. Another positive goal of the study is the use of personality-based approaches to treat the females and to create awareness among them. This research highlights the issues and concerns about the health of females. The weakness of this research is realized when only a small fraction of respondents are included in the focus groups. Another weakness is felt that doctors or care providers have not been included in this research. So, the opinions of only females regarding the issue were recorded.
Credibility and Reliability of the Results
Good research also has unbiased goals and presentation of the results irrespective of the cultural perspectives. This shows that quality research is based on theories and facts and is not biased with the cultural backgrounds of the researcher (Lockwood, Munn & Porritt, 2015). Hence, this research is shown at an international level without considering the cultural perspectives. Only one thing was taken into account during the research and it was the medical reason of the females. The research is both credible and reliable, because it was based on a careful focus group discussion and the problems were observed and recorded all around the world that females are facing vaginal atrophy after the menopause. So, the international issue of females has come under observation and the research has put enough contribution to highlight the revolving factors. A lot of females in the world are facing this issue and there is a need to create awareness to deal with this issue and counseling of the females is needed to be done to promote awareness among them. Couselling services will help them get better health status and strenght to deal with their genuine medical issues.
Questions for Peer Follow-up
1- The results of this research show that vaginal atrophy treatment is dependent on the personality types of the females and according to me there might be some other reasons behind this. What is your input in this regard?
2- In the research methodology, only women were selected from four counties and the research is given the name of the international study. Is not it a partial study in which other countries needed to be added at a broad level? What is your stance on this insight?