[Medical humanistic research, fields and methods]

Area of Science:

• Medical Humanities
• Philosophy of Medicine
• Qualitative Health Research

Context:

• Current medical research faces challenges in analyzing non-quantifiable aspects of human disease.
• There is a need for a more precise terminology to describe research within the human scientific tradition.
• Existing methodologies may not fully capture the subjective experiences of illness.

Purpose:

• To propose "medical humanistic research" as a more accurate term than "qualitative research" for certain medical investigations.
• To discuss the diverse fields, data collection methods, theoretical underpinnings, and disciplinary origins of medical humanistic research.
• To explore potential new methodologies and acknowledge inherent weaknesses and sources of error.

Summary:

• This paper advocates for "medical humanistic research" to better encompass studies on human disease within a humanistic scientific framework.
• It details the scope, methods, theoretical foundations, and disciplinary roots of this research approach.
• The discussion includes emerging methodological avenues, limitations, and potential future directions for integrating humanistic inquiry into medical practice.

Impact:

• Highlights the significance of understanding humanistic dimensions in medical practice and research.
• Encourages a broader perspective in medical research beyond purely scientific quantification.
• Promotes the integration of human understanding, emotions, and desires into the medical disciplinary development.